The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) on Thursday defended its decision to seek the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) help in vetting the identities of the supposed 18 former members of Philippine Marines who alleged delivered mind-boggling amounts of money to multiple people upon the instruction of then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
Former congressman Mike Defensor has questioned the NBI’s involvement in the 1so-called “Baligod 18” controversy.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano made the statement in response to the accusations of lawyer Ferdinand Topacio who said the OMB allowed itself to be controlled by the Executive department in enlisting the help of the NBI, instead of being an independent constitutional office in evaluating the joint affidavit submitted by the “Baligod 18.”
“The Office of the Ombudsman has done two things in relation to this case. First, we have deputized the NBI to verify the identities and background of the affiants especially since there have been conflicting reports on who they are and where they used to serve,” Clavano said.
The Philippine Navy earlier said four of the 18 were never members of the Navy nor the Philippine Marine Corps while many of them were discharged dishonorably from the service
“Second, the Office has sent a letter request to Atty. (Levito) Baligod to produce 18 separate affidavits lining out the narration of facts from the perspective of each person so as to produce a more accurate and credible narration of facts. As the Ombudsman has mentioned, a joint narration of facts loses credibility,” Clavano added.
He clarified however, that the Ombudsman has yet to decide on the credibility of the allegations of the Baligod 18.
“It is only upon evaluation that it was found that there were 18 people that signed one affidavit. The contents may be true, but the credibility will be strengthened when each one narrates the fact from their own unique perspective,” Clavano explained.
The Baligod 18 alleged that some public officials received grease money from Co to build a case against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court.
Many of the personalities mentioned included House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año. Both have denied the allegations.
“I am calling on the public to help because these people are here to bring out the truth. They should not be under investigation. What they should look into is their allegations about corruption,” Defensor said.
Defensor was also issued a subpoena to provide relevant information on the inquiry.
Defensor said he will assist the 18 former soldiers, stressing that he will not allow a repeat of what happened to surprise witness Orly Guteza.
For his part, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio insisted that the planned investigation was questionable, noting that what should be investigated are those named in the affidavit.
Topacio described the process as ‘harassment’ and ‘intimidation’ that intends to set a chilling effect on those who want to testify.
