Palace on ex-Marines' claims vs. ICC: They aim to discredit the court

Malacañang said Thursday the claims of the supposed former Marines and lawyer Levito "Levy" Baligod about the alleged corruption in the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are meant to discredit the tribunal as it conducts legal proceedings on the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for comment about the claims made by the group and if she sees this as a way to divert the attention from the recent developments in the ICC.

"Malamang, kung anuman ang motibo nila, malamang na maaaring i-discredit at tanggalan ng kredibilidad at integridad ang ICC, but mas concern po tayo sa mga kasinungalingan na kanilang ibinabato sa ating Pangulo," Castro said.

(That's likely. Perhaps their motives are to discredit and destroy the credibility and integrity of the ICC, but our main concern is the lies they are throwing against the President.) 

Eighteen personalities, who were introduced as supposed ex-Marines with Baligod, claimed that former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV funded the hotel accommodations of the ICC probers, hinting corruption in the independent body's probe.

Baligod had said ICC investigators did not conduct a "bona fide" investigation in the country as they only interviewed witnesses sent by Trillanes, a staunch critic of Duterte and his policies.

The lawyer also claimed that the investigators exchanged cash amounting to $2 million in December 2023.

The ICC already denied this claim, saying that its activities are funded through the court's budget while expenses are strictly managed through an independent and transparent manner.

A pre-trial hearing is ongoing in The Hague, Netherlands on Duterte's crimes against humanity case over extrajudicial killings when he was still mayor of Davao City and during his presidency.

Mike Defensor

Meanwhile, Castro was asked for comment on the remarks of former congressman Mike Defensor that a second batch of soldiers would also give testimonies on the delivery of billions of pesos in cash to certain government officials, including President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Castro said Defensor's motive is quite obvious as he has repeatedly called for the ouster of the President.

"Mike Defensor, the known wonder boy. Marami sa kaniyang talumpati ang naghihikayat sa ating mga kababayan na tanggalin sa puwesto ang ating Pangulo, alam na natin ang motibo. Mike Defensor again, Ador Mawanay 2.0–kilala ang salitang 'Mawanay' dahil sa pamimilit diumano sa kaniya na gumawa ng pekeng salaysay," she said.

(Mike Defensor, the known wonder boy. Many of his speeches have called on the public to remove the President from power, so we know his motives. Ador Mawanay 2.0. Mawanay is known for allegeldy being forced to make false statements.) 

"Mayroon tayong impormasyon na isang tao sa administrasyon dati ni GMA na isang operator na ang trabaho lamang ay to muddle the issues. 'Pag ang taong ito ay kasama sa isang issue, something is fishy," she added, referring to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

(We have information that an individual from the Arroyo administration only works to muddle the issues. If this person is involved, something is fishy.) 

To recall, Mawanay once accused Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson of involvement in illegal activities. Mawanay later recanted his allegations against the senator.

In a separate statement, Defensor said Castro should be very careful with her statements. 

“Hindi ito palengke o sari-sari store na puwedeng magbato ng tsismis na parang usapang Maritess. She speaks for the President and represents Malacañang,” Castro said. 

(This is not a market or sari-sari store wherein you can just throw rumors.) 

“Her words and posturing must be sober, precise, and statesmanlike,” she added. 

He also said he was never involved in the Mawanay case.

“They spun it wrong. I was never involved in the Ador Mawanay case — nowhere, in any angle whatsoever. That issue has long been clarified,” she said. — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News