Abante files libel, cyber libel raps vs Co's 18 ex- bodyguards, Baligod

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has filed libel and cyber libel complaints against the 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and their lawyer Levito Baligod, amid claims that he received suitcases of cash during the 19th Congress.

Abante on Tuesday went to the Manila City Hall to file the complaints, insisting that the accusations made in February 2026 by the 18 bodyguards, previously tagged as former Marine officers, are incorrect and baseless.

“For the record, I vehemently deny the incorrect, baseless, and/or misleading allegations made by the complainants in the Libelous Salaysay distributed and made known to the media and public during the Libelous Press Conference, and thereafter published on respondent DWSI’s Facebook page through the Libelous Post,” Abante said.

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“Simply put, the unsigned and unnotarized Libelous Salaysay alleges that I, a public servant, was one of the recipients of ‘kickbacks’,” he added.

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“Such allegation is completely false and untrue. I vehemently deny and refute the incorrect, baseless, and misleading libelous statements in the Libelous Salaysay distributed and broadcast to the media during the Libelous Press Conference, and thereafter published on respondent DWSI’s Facebook page.”

According to Abante, the 18 bodyguards and Baligod could have brought the matter to the proper forum, but they chose to focus on public tirades instead of proper processes.

“To make matters worse, the Libelous Press Conference brazenly paraded the Libelous Salaysay — then still unsigned by the 18 Marine Respondents and unnotarized, thus not under oath — before the public eye,” he said in the complaint.

“Instead of elevating these matters to the proper forum, respondent Atty. Baligod and the 18 Marine Respondents deliberately chose a public tirade over proper processes and channels,” he added.

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Abante said he has neither met any of the 18 bodyguards nor received money from Co.

“For the record, I have never dealt with or ever seen any of the 18 Marine Respondents. I have no dealings with regard to deliveries of money from former representative Zaldy Co,” Abante claimed.

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“Significantly, the allegations lack any specific date or circumstance of the claimed delivery and receipt, while photographs show only cash, luggage, and strangers, establishing nothing. Coupled with their groundless tale, this amounts to nothing more than smoke and mirrors slander,” he added.

Discussions about the claims of the 18 bodyguards have surfaced again as the group led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano pushed through with the blue ribbon committee hearing last Thursday, despite all positions being declared vacant and new officials being elected a day before.

During the Thursday hearing, the 18 former bodyguards testified and reiterated several of their allegations, which were contained in an affidavit released last February 25, 2026.

The 18 men claimed that they used to work for Co, who used to head the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations.  They claimed that they were tasked by Co to deliver suitcases allegedly filled with cash to different individuals, including several House members.

However, observers were quick to point out alleged inconsistencies and changes from the 18 individuals’ testimony last Thursday, and their original affidavit last February.

Manila Rep. Joel Chua said that the venue in which the 18 bodyguards supposedly handed the money to him changed.

READ: 2 House prosecutors question inaccuracies in ‘18 Marines’ testimony

Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez, meanwhile, questioned his sudden inclusion in the list of those who received suitcases.

Alvarez rushed to the Senate on Thursday to confront the 18 individuals, saying that he did not receive any suitcase with cash.

When asked what might have been the reason why he was suddenly included in the list, Alvarez said it might be because of his refusal to endorse an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

According to the lawmaker, a certain Margarette, who claimed to represent former lawmaker Mike Defensor — a supporter of the 18 men, — texted him and sent a copy of the complaint against Marcos.

READ: Alvarez on 18 Marines’ claims: Payback for not backing Marcos ouster?

When asked if he will endorse the complaint, Alvarez said he flatly denied the request. /gsg

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