ILOILO City — Rep. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda of this city yesterday filed cyber libel complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 18 former Philippine Marines and their lawyer Levito Baligod over allegations linking her to supposed kickbacks from government infrastructure projects.
The complaints stemmed from affidavits executed by the former Marines, who alleged that Baronda received “suitcases filled with cash” in connection with allegedly anomalous public works and flood control projects.
Baronda denied the accusations, describing them as fabricated and without basis.
In an interview after filing the complaints, the congresswoman questioned the source of the allegations.
“Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon. Alam naman natin na gumagawa lang sila ng istorya,” Baronda said.
Asked why she believed her name was dragged into the controversy, she pointed to her longstanding support for the military institution and her involvement in issues tackled during congressional hearings.
“Grabe. I always defend the institution. I can remember vividly na talagang inaatake ko ang mga issues, especially against corruption. I fought for this institution, especially noong panahon na nagkaproblema. Several times ko talagang sinabi kay Speaker Martin Romualdez at kay Zaldy Co ang mga naririnig ko tungkol sa institution na ito kaya kailangan ko rin itong protektahan,” she said.
She added: “At the same time, alam naman natin lahat na this is about the Quad Committee story. I defended Iloilo City. I wanted to make sure na ang Iloilo City ay hindi ‘shabulized city.’ Unfair para sa mga tao ko na tatawagin ninyo itong shabulized city. Kaya siguro naisama ako rito.”
Baronda, however, declined to speculate when asked if the allegations could be linked to the Duterte family.
“I don’t know. Bahala na ang korte diyan,” she said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Jeric Jucaban, Baronda’s legal counsel, said Baligod was included as a respondent because of his alleged role in organizing the former Marines and preparing their affidavits.
“Bukod sa 18 Marines, si Atty. Baligod lang po ang isinama namin sa reklamo. Inamin niya rin naman sa mga interviews niya na siya talaga ang nagpasimuno ng pakikipag-usap sa mga ex-Marines at siya rin ang naghanda ng pinagsamang sinumpaang salaysay nitong mga allegedly ex-Marines. Kaya isinama siya sa reklamong isinampa namin ngayon dito sa Department of Justice,” Jucaban said.
Ina statement released last night, Jucaban said the filing of the criminal complaint against the former Marines and Baligod is intended not only to vindicate and protect the honor, reputation, and integrity of Cong. Baronda and her family, but also to serve as a clear deterrent against the making of false, baseless, and malicious accusations against members of the institution to which she belongs.
“While public officials are expected to be open to criticism and accountable to the people they serve, such criticism must be founded on truth, credible evidence, and good faith. The right to free expression does not extend to the deliberate fabrication of allegations designed solely to tarnish reputations, mislead the public, and undermine confidence in public institutions,” Jucaban stated.
The lawyer added: “Through this action, we seek to send a strong message that accountability must apply equally to those who make accusations. Allegations of wrongdoing should be supported by facts and evidence, not by speculation, political motivations, or a desire to besmirch individuals and the institution they represent. The Congress of the Philippines, as a co-equal branch of government, deserves to be protected from unfounded attacks that erode public trust and weaken democratic institutions.”
The complaints were filed before the National Prosecution Service through Prosecutor Hazel Mascariñas.
As of press time, Baligod and the former Marines had yet to issue a statement in response to the complaints./PN
