Lawyer in Napoles 'pork barrel' case claims P800B from flood control projects delivered to 'corrupt officials

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Levi Baligod, the private complainant in the pork barrel scam case against businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, on Tuesday alleged that up to P800 billion in cash was delivered over the years to corrupt government officials in connection with supposed flood control anomalies, as he presented former soldiers who executed affidavits on the alleged deliveries. Speaking at a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan City, Baligod claimed that based on the computation of a second batch of witnesses, the total amount of money they allegedly transported reached P800 billion, with some deliveries involving as many as 52 suitcases in a single transaction. Baligod said the affidavits detailed how contractors supposedly counted and remitted money to former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co in residences in Valle Verde, Pasig City, Horizon Homes, and other private properties, including homes of lawmakers, adding that some deliveries allegedly required up to six vans to transport at least 20 to 52 large suitcases. “Based on their computation, the amount they delivered has already reached P800 billion,” Baligod said. “The root and mastermind of all of this is PBBM (President. He is the chief implementer of laws. He has no one else to implement the law, but why did he allow these things. PBBM knows about the stealing.” He further alleged that five suitcases were delivered to a residence in Ilocos Norte and called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate, while also questioning the conduct of investigators from the International Criminal Court who were in the country in December 2023 and urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines not to prevent the former military personnel from disclosing what they know.