By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday filed cyber libel complaints against former lawmaker Zaldy Co, lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 “former Marines” who linked him to alleged irregularities.
Tiu Laurel filed the complaints before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office and dismissed the accusations as “purely fiction.”
“Puro kasinungalingan ‘yung kanilang pinagsasabi sa kanilang affidavit at really walang katotohanan (What they have been claiming in their affidavits are lies and there’s really no truth to it), it’s purely fiction,” he told reporters.
The respondents accused Tiu Laurel of involvement in importation irregularities and the delivery of kickbacks to government officials.
The 18 former Marines earlier claimed they went weekly to Tiu Laurel’s residence in Forbes Park to collect kickbacks — an allegation the DA strongly denied.
“Unang-una, 2018 pa ako hindi nakatira doon (First, I have not resided there since 2018). I live in another place in Makati, not in that village at all,” Tiu Laurel said.
He urged the 18 individuals, represented by Baligod, to reveal the truth and not allow themselves to be used by those behind the allegations.
The complaint against Co stemmed from his claim linking First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Martin Araneta to agricultural smuggling and importation issues within the Department of Agriculture.
Tiu Laurel called the accusation “total baloney.”
He also warned individuals and groups against spreading “fake news” about the DA. (PNA)
