Janette Garin sues 18 'ex-marines' over maleta claims

House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo has filed cyberlibel and perjury complaints against the 18 'ex-marines' who are supposedly former bodyguards of Zaldy Co and their counsel, Levi Baligod.

Garin said that these individuals have been repeatedly telling lies, and such willful repetition has consequences.

“I was waiting for their testimony, their sworn affidavit. But we don't have a copy of such sworn affidavit. We only heard these [allegations] from the news. My conscience is clear. No one gave me a bag, envelope, or briefcase,” Garin told reporters after filing the complaints.

“They cannot go on peddling these big lies which besmirch the integrity of individuals,” she added.

Garin’s complaint came just a day after another House of Representatives member, Manila Sixth District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, also filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against them for the same allegations.

“The Respondents falsely insinuate that I (among others) received luggage containing cash from public funds. These allegations are entirely false, maliciously fabricated, and without any basis in fact or law. 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,” Abante’s complaint read.

“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. Respondent Atty. Baligod, as a member of the Bar, should have known immeasurably better than to broadcast such unproven, incendiary allegations,” the complaint said.

“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,” Abante added in a separate statement.

Baligod has maintained that the Marines were telling the truth, although he admitted that the Marines made an error when they claimed that Senator Loren Legardo also received a suitcase with money. —VAL, GMA News