Adiong sues 18 ex-bodyguards, Baligod for cyber libel

Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong on Thursday filed a cyber libel complaint and sought P25 million worth of damages against the 18 former bodyguards of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list as well as their counsel Levi Baligod over allegations that Adiong received bribe money from government projects.

In a complaint-affidavit filed in his hometown Marawi City, Adiong said the respondents’ actions are characterized by repeated false and malicious allegations that caused him “severe mental anguish, besmirched his reputation, and subjected him to widespread social humiliation.”

Specifically, Adiong cited a press conference held on February 24, 2026 where Baligod publicly announced the existence of a joint affidavit alleging a multibillion-peso kickback scheme involving flood control projects. Portions of the affidavit were later circulated online and on social media.

The 18 ex-bodyguards in the complaint were identified as Bernard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulontante, Johnny Buduan, Rodent Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villain Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Tabard, Walter Manalansan, Joel Cadioao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilia Larder Jr., Bernard Guimban, Crisanie Dado and Fidel Corpuz.

“The accusations hurled against me by the Respondents are absolute fabrications, total falsehoods, and malicious invention. I have never met any of these eighteen individuals, I have never received any suitcase of cash from anyone,” Adiong said in a statement.

“I have absolutely no involvement in the anomalous transactions they describe,” he added.

Adiong said Baligod and company acted with malice because they published an unverified, logistically impossible narrative “with reckless disregard for whether it was true or false.”

“Having intentionally exposed the allegations to members of the media with the expectation that they would be reported to the public, Respondents are liable not only for the original publication of the defamatory imputations but likewise for their foreseeable republication and dissemination through digital and online platforms,” Adiong’s complaint read.

Adiong is already the fourth lawmaker to filed criminal and other related complaints against the ex-bodyguards and Baligod, after Representatives Janette Garin of Iloilo, Benny Abante of Manila and Gerville Luistro of Batangas. — BM, GMA News