Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV has filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice against lawyer Levito Baligod, former congressman Mike Defensor, broadcaster Jay Sonza, former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy, vlogger Cathy Binag, and 18 alleged “ex-Marines” over claims linking him to a bribery scheme involving investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The respondents allegedly spread claims that Trillanes received $2 million from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to bribe ICC officials in The Hague.
Trillanes filed complaints for cyberlibel, incriminating an innocent person, and perjury, denying the allegations.
“Let me be clear: I did not receive $2 million, nor any amount, from Zaldy Co for ICC personnel or any other purpose,” he said.
Trillanes said his contacts with ICC investigators were only for evidence gathering in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte over the drug war.
He claimed the accusations were part of a coordinated smear campaign meant to discredit ICC proceedings and intimidate witnesses.
The 18 alleged ex-Marines were charged with perjury for their supposed false testimonies, while Baligod and other respondents were accused of spreading the claims online.
“Atty. Baligod staged a live, televised circus to malign reputations… Now he and his cohorts will face the legal consequences,” Trillanes said.
