Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-List Rep. Leila de Lima and human rights activist Fr. Flavie Villanueva filed on Monday, March 9, separate perjury complaints against 18 alleged former marines who claimed that billions of pesos were delivered to various legislators and other government officials as “kickbacks” in flood control projects.
Before filing their complaints at the Department of Justice (DOJ), De Lima and Villanueva lodged libel and cyber libel charges against the 18 former “marines” and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Kasinungalingan ho ‘yan na meron akong tinatanggap,” De Lima said during an interview at the DOJ.
“Since these are untruthful statements made in their sworn affidavits—the combined sworn statements signed and executed by these 18 alleged marines—I decided to file complaint affidavits for perjury because these lies are meant to mislead the public and once again tarnish my name,” she added.
De Lima said the former “marines” accused her of receiving ₱30 million to ₱70 million following a meeting with former Ako Bicol Party-List representative Elizaldy Co and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez.
For his part, Villanueva said: “Kaya kami narito ay sampahan at sabihing sinungaling ang inyong paratang sa amin.”
He explained that the 18 former “marines” were attempting to destroy the credibility of Filipino witnesses at the International Criminal Court (ICC), where former president Rodrigo Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity over extrajudicial killings in the government’s anti-drug campaign.
He added: “Gusto nila idiin na ang mga testigo ay bayaran.”
Last March 5, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed before the DOJ perjury complaints against the 18 former “marines” who accused him of receiving $2 million as bribe for ICC investigators who looked into the extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs war. (Jeffrey Damicog)
