(UPDATE) FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed criminal complaints against lawyer Levito Baligod, 18 former marines and several pro-Duterte personalities for cyber libel and perjury when they accused him of accepting $2 million to bribe International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators to ensure the prosecution of former president Rodrigo Duterte. In a separate legal action, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año filed criminal charges against the same respondents over what he described as “malicious imputations” and fabricated allegations linking him to large-scale bribery. The respondents were charged by Año with unlawful means of publication and unlawful utterances under the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, before the Department of Justice on Wednesday. Año said that the filing of charges marked only the first legal action he intended to pursue against those he believed orchestrated the accusations. “I was really surprised. And of course, you can say I am really mad with their malicious imputations. Never in my life would I do that,” he said. The filing of the criminal complaint arose from the allegations of the 18 alleged former marines that they delivered billions of pesos in “kickback” money in the flood control projects to several government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Año. But Año denied allegations, saying that such accusations run contrary to his decades of service in the military and government. He said that integrity has always guided his conduct in public service, including during his tenure as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Año said the complaint “is just the first” charge. “There will be succeeding cases that will be filed,” he said, adding that he intended to file cyber libel and perjury charges against the respondents, too. Controversial press conference Trillanes filed before the Department of Justice in Manila, targeting Baligod and the 18 self-confessed former security aides of resigned Ako Bikol Party-list representative Zaldy Co, who claimed in a press conference on Feb. 24 to have delivered billions in cash to President Marcos and even Trillanes himself. Also named respondents in the Trillanes suit were former government official Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, vlogger Cathy Binag, former Anakalusugan Party-list representative Mike Defensor and broadcaster Jay Sonza for their social media posts amplifying the allegations. At the center of the complaint was the Feb. 24 press conference organized by Baligod at Club Filipino in San Juan. During the event, Baligod introduced the 18 respondents — identified as Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulontate, Johnny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely Cadiao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado, Fidel Corpuz and Walter Manalansan — as former security personnel of Co. Baligod alleged that the 18 “ex-marines” had delivered P805 billion in cash packed in suitcases or “maletas” to President Marcos, several lawmakers and other officials. Most significantly, Baligod claimed Trillanes received $2 million to fund and facilitate the ICC investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs. According to the complaint, Baligod said that two suitcases containing P56 million were handed to Trillanes to facilitate arrangements for the ICC investigators, adding that the vehicles used and the hotel accommodations were allegedly shouldered by Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and the former senator. The complaint further noted that a day before the press conference, the 18 respondents executed a notarized affidavit detailing the claims. In that affidavit, the affiants made specific allegations against Trillanes, including that they delivered cash to his office in Quezon City on multiple occasions, that Trillanes met with Co and former speaker Martin Romualdez at the Manila Polo Club, and that accommodations for ICC personnel were paid for by Co and Trillanes. The complaint argued that the press conference was part of a carefully conceived and concerted effort to destroy Trillanes’ honor, pointing to the timing as evidence of malice. The event was held a day before the EDSA People Power anniversary, and coincided with the second day of ICC hearings for confirmation of charges against Duterte. This timing, Trillanes asserted, was designed to agitate the public and undermine the integrity of the ICC proceedings. The complaint also raised questions about the logistics of the alleged cash deliveries, noting that Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, had pointed out that P805 billion represents more than 70 percent of the P1.13 trillion allocated for flood control projects from 2023 to 2025, and that transporting such an amount would require at least 13,416 large suitcases capable of containing P50 million to P70 million each. Trillanes alleged that the press conference was a premeditated, politically motivated stunt orchestrated by Baligod with support from pro-Duterte allies. The complaint noted that CCTV footage revealed vehicles used to transport the 18 respondents were registered under the name of Defensor’s wife, and Defensor himself was present during the press conference as seen in his Facebook live coverage. Badoy’s pre-event post showing foreknowledge of the subject matter, combined with Binag and Sonza’s prepared online remarks, demonstrated what Trillanes described as “a unity of design, each actor performing acts to accomplish their purpose.” The complaint invoked the Supreme Court ruling in Domingo v Badoy-Partosa, which held that online content creators or influencers with large followings should be held to the same standard as journalists. According to the complaint, Badoy has about 77,000 Meta followers, Binag has 308,000, Defensor has 420,000 and Sonza has 393,000. Trillanes is charging Baligod separately with violation of Article 363 of the Revised Penal Code for incriminating an innocent person. The complaint argued that by alleging Trillanes received $2 million for ICC investigators, Baligod effectively imputed the crimes of bribery or corruption of public officials. However, Trillanes pointed out that he ceased being a public officer when his Senate term ended in 2019, and therefore crimes like bribery cannot be attached to him. “After his 15 minutes of fame, he must be held to account for his clear transgression of the law, together with all his cohorts, who provided him moral comfort and material aid, and connived with him in publicizing his tall tale of lies,” Trillanes said in his complaint. In a statement sent to The Manila Times, Badoy said she is honored “to be standing alongside our courageous heroes who have remained true to their calling as warriors and true sons of the republic.” Defensor also said that he is “honored” to be included in the case alongside the former soldiers. “These soldiers are the only ones speaking the truth on what they have witnessed — the delivery of money that, based on reports, were part of corruption because Zaldy Co is their boss,” Defensor said. Defensor said that both Año and Trillanes, instead of finding out the truth, filed charges and want them jailed. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte said that “outrage over corruption” must not be selective and should not choose who should be investigated. “And we cannot remain silent whenever those involved are close to power,” Duterte said in a statement on Thursday, adding that she admired the courage of the 18 former security personnel.