Baligod: Ombudsman should probe cash delivery allegations of ex-Marines

Lawyer Levito Baligod on Thursday urged the Office of the Ombudsman to probe the allegations of 18 personalities who were introduced as supposed ex-Marines that Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co instructed them to deliver cash to various individuals. 

Baligod said the Ombudsman can now act on the allegations since he already submitted their notarized affidavit.

“We are here in the Office of the Ombudsman because this office has a primary jurisdiction to investigate government officials allegedly involved in corruption,” he said.

The 18 former Marines were not with Baligod when he brought their affidavit.

“We are here to present a prima facie proof that an offense has been committed by the people named in the affidavit. These offenses include, graft, violations of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) prohibiting public officials from receiving gifts. Ang basehan po namin ay tumanggap sila ng milyon-milyon na pera pero hindi po nila naipakita sa kanilang SALN,” he added.

(We are alleging that they received millions of pesos but they failed to declare it in their SALN.)

Baligod also accused Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, then Justice secretary, of committing graft for meeting with International Criminal Court (ICC) staff which he said caused “undue damage to government.”

Asked what “undue damage to government” happened, Baligod did not give a categorical answer and replied, “Well, I will not tell you now the possible connection. Kasi, merong kasong kidnapping na isinampa ang pamilya ni Duterte.”

He was referring to kidnapping charges filed by the family of former President Rodrigo Duterte who is now facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity over drug war deaths before the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Likewise, Baligod did not give a direct answer as to what is the purpose of Co giving money to public officials.

“Ito ang lalabas sa investigation (These will come out in the investigation),” he said.

Lawyer Levi Baligod calls on Ombudsman Boying Remulla to probe the allegations of 18 ex-Marines that ex-Ako Bicol party list Rep. Zaldy Co delivered millions of money to lawmakers and the President as stated in notarized affidavit he submitted to the Ombudsman @gmanews pic.twitter.com/QErWaKbGEY

— Llanesca T. Panti (@llanescajourno) February 26, 2026

Those named in the affidavit already denied allegations, with Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro calling it a lousy script, if not delusion and downright lies. —AOL, GMA Integrated News