₱800 Billion in Suitcases? Napoles Case Lawyer Drops Bombshell Claim About Flood Control Cash Deliveries to 'Corrupt Officials'
Lawyer Levi Baligod, the private complainant in the pork barrel scam case against businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, just made a jaw-dropping allegation: up to ₱800 billion in cash was allegedly delivered to corrupt government officials over the years in connection with flood control project anomalies. Yes, you read that right — ₱800 billion.
Speaking at a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Tuesday, Baligod presented former soldiers who executed affidavits about the alleged deliveries. According to these witnesses, some transactions involved as many as 52 suitcases in a single delivery, requiring up to six vans to transport. The money was supposedly counted and remitted to former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co at various locations including residences in Valle Verde, Pasig City and Horizon Homes.
Baligod didn't stop there. He also alleged that five suitcases of cash were delivered to a residence in Ilocos Norte — a province closely associated with the Marcos family. He directly called on President Marcos, saying: "He is the chief implementer of laws... why did he allow these things?" The lawyer urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the claims.
The flood control controversy has been a political powder keg in recent months, fueling the Trillion Peso March protest movement. Baligod's latest allegations add more fuel to that fire, especially with the EDSA 40th anniversary rallies happening tomorrow. Whether these claims hold up under scrutiny remains to be seen, pero the optics are devastating.
Baligod also questioned the conduct of ICC investigators who visited the Philippines in December 2023, and called on the AFP not to prevent former military personnel from disclosing what they know. With allegations this massive, the pressure on government to respond is only going to intensify.
Source: The Manila Times
