Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday filed cyberlibel complaints against 18 alleged former soldiers, their lawyer Levito Baligod, and former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co for linking him to the supposed delivery of bribe money.
The complaints were lodged before the Makati City Office of the Prosecutor after the group claimed they transported cash-filled suitcases to Laurel and other senior officials.
“Nag-file ako ng kaso ng cyberlibel sa isang grupo. Yung isa kay Zaldy Co, yung una kay Baligod… at saka yung kanyang 18 na puppets,” Laurel told reporters.
He dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“Dahil nga puro kasinungalingan yung kanilang mga pinagsasabi sa kanilang affidavit at purely walang katotohanan. It’s purely fiction,” he said.
In their affidavit, the group alleged they retrieved cash from Laurel’s residence in Forbes Park—an accusation he flatly denied.
“Yun lang palpak na eh. I don’t know any of those 18. At saka hindi naman daw ako yung binibigyan ng maleta. Ako yung nagbibigay ng pera,” he remarked.
Laurel urged those behind the claims to reveal the truth and avoid being manipulated.
“Sabihin niyo na yung totoo, diba? Para hindi kayo gamitin ng kung sino man ang nasa likod nyan. Katotohanan lang. Yun lang ang hinihingi ko,” he said.