Baronda files cyberlibel, perjury complaint over ‘maleta’ allegations

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

MANILA — Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda filed a cyberlibel and perjury complaint against a group of former Marines and their lawyer before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, June 3, over allegations of cash kickbacks stuffed in luggage.

Baronda filed her 15-page complaint-affidavit before the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service against lawyer Levito D. Baligod and 18 others, citing cyberlibel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353, 354, and 355 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), and perjury under Article 183 of the RPC.

Aside from Baligod, the named respondents are Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulontate, Johnny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely Cadiao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado, Fidel Corpuz, and Walter M. Manalansan.

In her complaint-affidavit, Baronda said she filed the complaint not to suppress criticism but to defend herself.

“[T]his case is not about criticism, political disagreement, or free expression. It is about the deliberate use of a sworn affidavit and public platforms to spread false and malicious accusations of criminal conduct and corruption against me,” Baronda said in the prefatory statement of her complaint-affidavit.

“The allegations were not presented as opinions or suspicions; they were asserted as facts under oath and widely disseminated to the public,” she added.

Baronda said she was specifically named in paragraph 43 of Baligod’s affidavit as one of those who allegedly received luggage containing cash.

Baligod held a news conference on Feb. 24, 2026, at Club Filipino in San Juan City, where an unsigned document titled “Pinagsamang Sinumpaang Salaysay” (Joint Sworn Statement) was presented to reporters.

At the news conference, the lawyer introduced the other respondents as former Marine officers and former security personnel of businessman and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.

The affidavit he presented claimed that approximately PHP 805 billion packed in luggage, or “maletas,” had been delivered to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., members of Congress, including Baronda, and other government officials.

Criminal allegations in Baligod’s affidavit included direct and indirect bribery under Articles 210 and 211 of the RPC, and violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“By specifically naming me as one of the persons who allegedly received luggage, or ‘maleta,’ containing cash, the respondents effectively accused me of receiving illicit funds and of participating in unlawful, corrupt, or criminal activities,” the complaint stated.

According to the complaint, the respondents had “no personal knowledge, competent evidence, documentary proof, receipt, photograph, video recording, communication, witness corroboration, or any other reliable evidence” to support the accusations.

The complaint said copies of the affidavit were uploaded and circulated online through various social media accounts, including those identified as “Amee G.,” “Archlight News,” and “Davao Breaking News – 2.”

Baronda categorically denied the allegations in her complaint-affidavit.

“I have never received any luggage, suitcase, ‘maleta,’ cash delivery, payoff, kickback, commission, or any form of unlawful financial benefit from [Co] or from any person allegedly acting on his behalf,” she said in the complaint-affidavit.

Baronda argued that all elements of cyberlibel were present, including defamatory imputation, publication, identification, and malice.

The complaint cited the 2014 Supreme Court ruling in Disini Jr. v. Secretary of Justice, which affirmed that online defamation falls under cyberlibel.

Baronda also alleged that the affidavit was deliberately distributed to the media before any formal complaint had been filed with proper authorities.

The complaint further argued that the affidavit failed to specify any date or time when she supposedly received the luggage and did not identify any witness who personally saw her receive it.

“The deliberate failure of the respondents to provide even the most basic details of the alleged incident strongly suggests that the accusation was fabricated without regard for truth or accuracy,” the complaint stated.

The lawmaker based her perjury allegations on the sworn statements the respondents executed and filed, which she said contained false accusations.

“The respondents could not have honestly believed the accusations against me because they had no personal knowledge, no documentary support, and no lawful basis to accuse me of receiving illegal funds,” her complaint read.

The complaint-affidavit also raised the possible liability of Baligod in allegedly preparing, facilitating, and publicizing the affidavit, and sought to have him investigated.

“If the investigation establishes that [Baligod] prepared, induced, assisted, caused, or knowingly facilitated the execution of the false sworn statements; he should be held criminally liable as principal by inducement or indispensable cooperation, or as an accomplice, as the evidence may warrant,” her complaint stated.

In a statement, Baronda’s lawyer, Jeric Jucaban, said the move was meant to protect the lawmaker and her family against baseless accusations.

“The filing of the criminal complaint against the eighteen (18) former Marines and Atty. Levito Baligod is intended not only to vindicate and protect the honor, reputation, and integrity of [Baronda] and her family, but also to serve as a clear deterrent against the making of false, baseless, and malicious accusations against members of the institution to which she belongs,” Jucaban said in his statement.

“Through this action, we seek to send a strong message that accountability must apply equally to those who make accusations. Allegations of wrongdoing should be supported by facts and evidence, not by speculation, political motivations, or a desire to besmirch individuals and the institution they represent,” he added.