By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Office of the Prosecutor General, has approved the recommendations of the investigating prosecution panels to file multiple Informations against lawyer Levito D. Baligod and the so-called “18 maleta boys.”
The cases arose from several complaints involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, related press conferences and interviews, social media posts and other online publications.
Under the approved resolutions, the so-called “18 maleta boys” are to be charged in 10 separate informations for six counts of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act (RA) 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and four counts of perjury.
Baligod will be charged as a co-accused with the so-called “18 maleta boys” in certain informations. A separate information for one count of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of RA 10175 will likewise be filed against him.
The corresponding informations will be filed before the appropriate courts.
Other complaints covered by the resolutions were dismissed for lack of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.
The findings were reached after an evaluation of the evidence submitted by the parties during preliminary investigation.
The DOJ said the approval of the recommendations constitutes a determination, for purposes of preliminary investigation, that prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction exists.
The cases will proceed before the appropriate courts in accordance with law and due process.
In a statement Tuesday, Baligod said they will ask for a reconsideration of the DOJ ruling. (PNA)
