National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has filed cyber libel and perjury complaints against 18 individuals, including former Marines and their lawyer Levito Baligod, in connection with allegations linking him to supposed kickbacks from multi-billion-peso flood control projects.
The complaints were lodged on Wednesday, March 11, before the Department of Justice. Named respondents include Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulotante, Johnny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Natividad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely Cadiao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado, Fidel Corpuz, and Walter Manalansan.
Año explained that the perjury charges stem from Baligod’s public admission regarding the preparation of an affidavit connected to the accusations.
“Si Atty. Baligod, inadmit niya in public na he made the manipulation of the contents of the affidavit, no? Inadmit din niya that it’s an oversight or error on his part. So, sabi ng aking legal counsel, that constitutes to perjury.”
The allegations claimed Año received a paper bag following a meeting with former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima.
Año strongly denied the claims, calling them “malicious imputations.”
“I want to make it clear, wala naman akong pakialam doon sa ibang pinagsasabi nila. Doon lang ako concerned sa malicious imputations and publications directed against me.”
The accusations were first revealed by Baligod at a press conference and later submitted in a joint affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman, which directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate.
Año also filed a separate complaint last week against the same group, Baligod, and former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor for alleged unlawful utterances and publications.
“No take, no give. I have to protect my name, I have to defend my honor because I will not sell my name to anyone for any amount, that was really a malicious imputation,” Año declared.