Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. on Tuesday filed libel and cyberlibel complaints before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office against 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, their lawyer Levi Baligod, and a media entity, over allegations that he received suitcases filled with cash.
In a report by RH Tina Nolasco, Abante was among several lawmakers in Congress accused of allegedly receiving luggage containing public funds. However, he has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “incorrect, baseless, and misleading.”
“The Respondents falsely insinuate that I (among others) received luggage containing cash from public funds. These allegations are entirely false, maliciously fabricated, and without any basis in fact or law,” Abante said in his complaint.
Also included in the complaint is radio station DWSI, which Abante accused of airing allegedly “libelous reports“ that repeated the claims.
Abante said the allegations are “politically motivated,“ linking the accusations to his role in supporting an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Leader ako ng Quad [Committee] diba, nakita ko lahat kami ng nasa Quad Comm kasama. Ano bang ibig sabihin niyan? Ano bang rason?” he said.
“Sa akin ang rason, politics, sapagkat ako mismo ang nag-endorse ng impeachment complaint,” he emphasized.
He challenged the 18 bodyguards, previously tagged as former Marine officers, to bring their evidence before the proper judicial or anti-graft bodies rather than making public allegations.
“Kung meron silang ebidensya bakit hindi sabihin sa Ombudsman ‘yan. Why do they have to go to the media?” he said.
“Committee hearing in the Senate cannot pronounce them guilty. It's just an investigation. Just something that people should know. Ang dapat na talaga diyan ‘yung Ombudsman, Korte ang dapat diyan,” he added.
During a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing led by Cayetano bloc last week, the 18 former bodyguards reiterated their claims, which were previously detailed in an affidavit released in February 2026.
