Why DOJ will file cyber libel cases vs 18 'ex-marines,' Levi Baligod

The Philippine Department of Justice has approved criminal charges, including cyber libel and perjury, against lawyer Levi Baligod and 18 individuals known as the 'maleta boys.' The charges stem from defamatory allegations made against former senator Antonio Trillanes regarding ICC investigations.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing legal and political tensions in the Philippines involving high-profile figures and allegations of corruption.
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18 MARINES. Former partylist representative Mike Defensor and lawyer Levi Baligod, along with the 18 bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co, hold a press briefing in Mandaluyong City on June 16, 2026.
The Department of Justice has approved criminal charges against lawyer Levi Baligod and 18 individuals known as the 'maleta boys' for multiple offenses, including cyber libel and perjury. The charges stem from allegations that the 'maleta boys' made defamatory statements about former senator Antonio Trillanes, claiming he received money for ICC investigations. The DOJ found sufficient evidence to support the charges, while Baligod plans to file a motion for reconsideration, disputing the findings. This is AI-generated.
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