Photo credit: Benny Abante

Manila’s 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. has filed cyber libel and libel complaints against lawyer Levito Baligod, 18 former Marines, and media outlet DWSI 864 over allegations linking him to the alleged distribution of cash-filled luggage.

The complaints were filed before the Manila Prosecutors Office under the Department of Justice following claims made during a press conference on February 24 and later shared on social media.
In his complaint-affidavit, Abante firmly denied the accusations and described them as false and damaging to his reputation.

“For the record, I vehemently deny the incorrect, baseless, and/or misleading allegations made by the complainants in the Libelous Salaysay distributed and made known to the media and public during the Libelous Press Conference, and thereafter published on respondent DWSI’s Facebook page through the Libelous Post,” Abante said.

The lawmaker said the allegations wrongly identified him as one of the supposed recipients of funds allegedly delivered through luggage.

“Simply put, the unsigned and unnotarized Libelous Salaysay alleges that I, a public servant, was one of the recipients of ‘kickbacks’,” he stated.

“Such allegation is completely false and untrue. I vehemently deny and refute the incorrect, baseless, and misleading libelous statements in the Libelous Salaysay distributed and broadcast to the media during the Libelous Press Conference, and thereafter published on respondent DWSI’s Facebook page,” he added.

Abante also criticized the manner in which the allegations were presented, arguing that they were publicized before being properly examined by the appropriate authorities.

“To make matters worse, the Libelous Press Conference brazenly paraded the Libelous Salaysay—then still unsigned by the 18 Marine Respondents and unnotarized, thus not under oath—before the public eye. Instead of elevating these matters to the proper forum, respondent Atty. Baligod and the 18 Marine Respondents deliberately chose a public tirade over proper processes and channels,” the complaint read.

The veteran congressman maintained that he has never met any of the former Marines involved in the allegations and denied having any connection to the alleged cash deliveries.

“For the record, I have never dealt with or ever seen any of the 18 Marine Respondents. I have no dealings with regard to deliveries of money from former representative Zaldy Co,” Abante stated.

He further argued that the accusations lacked concrete evidence and specific details that could support the claims being made against him.

“Significantly, the allegations lack any specific date or circumstance of the claimed delivery and receipt, while photographs show only cash, luggage, and strangers, establishing nothing. Coupled with their groundless tale, this amounts to nothing more than smoke and mirrors slander,” he said.

Abante also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies between documents and statements related to the allegations, claiming these developments raise serious questions about their credibility.
According to the complaint, the lawmaker believes these circumstances demonstrate “a reckless disregard for truth” and show that the accusations were “patently unreliable and contrived.”

He said the controversy has unfairly affected his standing as a public official and damaged his reputation.
“This unduly and unfairly damages my reputation and casts doubt on my integrity as a duly elected official."

Abante is asking prosecutors to determine probable cause and pursue cyber libel and libel charges against those named in the complaint. He argued that the allegations were maliciously circulated through both traditional and digital platforms and that the evidence gathered is sufficient to support the filing of criminal charges.