By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the 18 former Marines, lawyer Levi Baligod, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, broadcaster Jay Sonza, and other personalities.
Trillanes denied the respondents’ allegations that he received USD2 million from former congressman Zaldy Co, one of the public officials linked to the “ghost” flood control projects, for the International Criminal Court (ICC) personnel.
“These people are peddling a pathetic lie. As a complainant in the ICC case since 2017, I am expected to actively communicate with them – from gathering numerous evidence to securing witnesses. Is there a crime in holding a tyrant accountable? Why would ICC prosecutors need a bribe from me? They do not operate on the transactional, corrupt mindset that these people are clearly accustomed to,” he said.
Trillanes said Baligod and his cohorts manufacture a “bribery” narrative to inject life into their failed smear campaign.
“The timing is no coincidence. They launched these lies a day before the EDSA People Power Anniversary to agitate the public and sow discord, and during the pivotal ICC pre-trial proceedings. This was a calculated strike designed to undermine the integrity of the proceedings and intimidate the ICC investigators and their witnesses,” he added.
Trillanes filed perjury charges against the 18 former Marines for their false testimony.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Remulla said they will evaluate the Baligod group’s allegations, asking the 18 former Marines to submit individual statements instead of a joint affidavit.
“I think we know who’s behind it. We have to prove it. So, we’re not alleging anything now,” he said. (PNA)
