Agri chief files cyber-libel raps vs Baligod, Co

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. has filed separate cyber-libel complaints against lawyer Levito D. Baligod and former lawmaker Elizaldy S. Co over allegations linking him to the so-called “maleta” (suitcase) scheme and supposed irregularities in the agriculture sector.

Mr. Laurel filed a cyber-libel complaint against Mr. Baligod before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday over allegations linking the agriculture chief to the alleged “maleta” scheme.

Mr. Baligod represents 18 individuals claiming to be former Marine personnel who allegedly acted as “bagmen” delivering cash kickbacks to several lawmakers and Cabinet officials.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Laurel said Mr. Baligod repeatedly made allegations, through press briefings and social media, claiming “anomalies” and unlawful acts within the Department of Agriculture, including alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds.

The Agriculture secretary also refuted the ex-Marines’ claim in an affidavit that his Forbes Park, Makati City property was used as a meeting place for the alleged transactions.

“They said they were getting money weekly from my house in Forbes Park. I haven’t lived there since 2018. I now live in another place in Makati, and I don’t know any of those 18,” Mr. Laurel told reporters separately.

Mr. Laurel also filed a cyber-libel complaint against Mr. Co over his claim that the Agriculture chief halted a House inquiry into rising rice prices after presenting a confidential report that allegedly implicated First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos.

In a video statement in November, Mr. Co had earlier accused the First Lady of involvement in a scheme that supposedly kept rice prices artificially high despite reduced import duties.

Mr. Laurel has earlier denied Mr. Co’s accusations, including claims that the Department of Agriculture favored certain companies in import allocations for certain commodities. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel