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Advocates Philippines
NBI Receives Affidavits Challenging Baligod's PDAF Claims
Photo credit: NBI
The National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that it has received sworn statements from two state witnesses linked to the controversial PDAF or “Napoles PDAF” plunder cases, contradicting recent public claims made by lawyer Levito Baligod.
In a statement released in Pasay City, the NBI said affidavits from Marina C. Sula and Mary Arlene B. Baltazar — both under the Department of Justice Witness Protection Program — were formally submitted to the Office of the NBI Director through legal counsel.
The affidavits were filed following Baligod’s recent statements claiming he resigned as counsel for whistleblower Benhur Luy in 2014 due to alleged disagreements over what he described as “selective prosecution” in the PDAF scandal investigations.
However, the two witnesses disputed those allegations, saying they did not witness any conflict between the DOJ and the NBI regarding the prosecution of personalities tied to the multi-billion peso scam.
According to the affidavits, Baligod’s legal services for Luy and Merlina Suñas were allegedly terminated by the camp of Benhur Luy and Helen Suñas, contrary to his public statements that he voluntarily stepped down.
The witnesses also made further allegations against Baligod, claiming he supposedly influenced which lawmakers would be included in future investigations related to the PDAF cases. They alleged that he would allegedly review names at the office of the NBI Special Task Force before supposedly relaying recommendations to the Justice Secretary regarding possible prosecutions.
The affidavits likewise claimed that Baligod had allegedly approached Janet Lim-Napoles to demand money and Canadian visas for Luy in exchange for dropping the case, which Napoles allegedly refused.
Sula and Baltazar said they submitted the affidavits to correct what they described as misleading public claims and to defend both their credibility and the integrity of the agencies involved in the investigation.
“The Bureau remains committed to the impartial investigation of cases based solely on evidence, sworn testimony, and due process,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said.
In a statement released in Pasay City, the NBI said affidavits from Marina C. Sula and Mary Arlene B. Baltazar — both under the Department of Justice Witness Protection Program — were formally submitted to the Office of the NBI Director through legal counsel.
The affidavits were filed following Baligod’s recent statements claiming he resigned as counsel for whistleblower Benhur Luy in 2014 due to alleged disagreements over what he described as “selective prosecution” in the PDAF scandal investigations.
However, the two witnesses disputed those allegations, saying they did not witness any conflict between the DOJ and the NBI regarding the prosecution of personalities tied to the multi-billion peso scam.
According to the affidavits, Baligod’s legal services for Luy and Merlina Suñas were allegedly terminated by the camp of Benhur Luy and Helen Suñas, contrary to his public statements that he voluntarily stepped down.
The witnesses also made further allegations against Baligod, claiming he supposedly influenced which lawmakers would be included in future investigations related to the PDAF cases. They alleged that he would allegedly review names at the office of the NBI Special Task Force before supposedly relaying recommendations to the Justice Secretary regarding possible prosecutions.
The affidavits likewise claimed that Baligod had allegedly approached Janet Lim-Napoles to demand money and Canadian visas for Luy in exchange for dropping the case, which Napoles allegedly refused.
Sula and Baltazar said they submitted the affidavits to correct what they described as misleading public claims and to defend both their credibility and the integrity of the agencies involved in the investigation.
“The Bureau remains committed to the impartial investigation of cases based solely on evidence, sworn testimony, and due process,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said.
May 7, 2026
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