National Security Adviser Eduardo Año filed on Wednesday, March 4, a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former congressman Mike Defensor, lawyer Levito Baligod, and 18 alleged “former marines,” stressing that he must protect his name and defend his honor against what he described as malicious and fabricated accusations.
The respondents were charged by Año with unlawful means of publication and unlawful utterances under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Republic Act (RA) 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The filing of the criminal complaint stemmed from allegations by the 18 alleged former marines that they delivered billions of pesos in “kickback” money from flood control projects to several government officials, including Año.
“Isinama nila ako doon sa signed affidavit and that is really malicious and fabrication and bereft of truth,” Año said.
“So, I have to defend my honor because I will not sell my name to anyone for any amount.”
The allegations against several government officials were disclosed by Baligod during a press conference.
Later, the joint affidavit was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, which deputized the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe.
Año said he included Defensor in his complaint since the former congressman admitted to assisting the 18 alleged former marines.
He declared that the complaint “is just the first” charge. “May mga succeeding cases pa ako na ipa-file,” he added.
He disclosed that he intends to file cyber libel and perjury charges against the respondents.
The national security adviser denied the allegations that he attended a meeting with former House of Representatives speaker Martin Romualdez where he allegedly received money.
“I was really surprised. And of course, you can say I am really mad with their malicious imputations,” he declared.
Año pointed out that since joining the government—from his time with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government up to his present position as national security adviser—his policy has always been “no take, no give.”
“I have to protect my name, I have to defend my honor because I will not sell my name to anyone for any amount. That was really a malicious imputation,” Año stressed. (Jeffrey Damicog)
