Lawyer Levito Baligod has denied claims that Vice President Sara Duterte was behind the disclosure of 18 individuals who identified themselves as former Marines and alleged the delivery of cash-filled suitcases to lawmakers.
In an interview, Baligod stressed that he has had no communication with the Vice President.
“’Yung sinasabing Duterte is behind us—si VP Inday, maniwala kayo, never pa kaming nag-usap,” he said.
Baligod serves as legal counsel for the group of ex-Marines who claimed to have distributed money allegedly tied to anomalous flood control projects.
The group also raised allegations involving a supposed $2 million fund reportedly linked to former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, which they claimed was intended for investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC) examining the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“Siguro, jaded ang mga ito. Hindi sila makapaniwala na merong mga Pilipino na handang magsakripisyo para gawin ito,” Baligod said, rejecting accusations that the exposé was politically motivated.
Responding to criticism that the revelations could destabilize the government, Baligod remarked:
“Kung ang sinasabi nila ay dahil nagsumbong kami sa bayan, sa nakawan na sinasabi nila, and the government is destabilized because of that, I will admit na destabilizer ako,” though he clarified that destabilization was never his intent.
He added that he remains unfazed by the backlash.
“Okay lang po ‘yun. Kasi ang iniisip lang naman namin is makatulong kami para matigil ang pagnanakaw,” Baligod said.