Malacañang on Thursday said the claims made by supposed former Marines and lawyer Levito “Levy” Baligod regarding alleged corruption in the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation appear intended to undermine the tribunal as it proceeds with the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration is more concerned about allegations directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
“Malamang, kung anuman ang motibo nila, malamang na maaaring i-discredit at tanggalan ng kredibilidad at integridad ang ICC, but mas concern po tayo sa mga kasinungalingan na kanilang ibinabato sa ating Pangulo (That is likely. Whatever their motive is, it may be to discredit and strip the ICC of credibility and integrity, but we are more concerned about the lies being thrown at the President),” she said.
Eighteen individuals presented as supposed former Marines, along with Baligod, claimed that former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV funded hotel accommodations of ICC probers, alleging corruption in the tribunal’s investigation.
Baligod further claimed that ICC investigators did not conduct a “bona fide” investigation in the country and alleged that $2 million in cash was exchanged in December 2023.
The ICC denied the accusation, stating that its activities are funded through its official budget and that expenses are managed independently and transparently.
Pre-trial proceedings are ongoing in The Hague over Duterte’s alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during his time as Davao City mayor and president.
Castro also responded to statements by former congressman Mike Defensor, who said a second batch of soldiers may testify regarding alleged cash deliveries to government officials, including Marcos.
“Mike Defensor, the known wonder boy. Marami sa kaniyang talumpati ang naghihikayat sa ating mga kababayan na tanggalin sa puwesto ang ating Pangulo, alam na natin ang motibo. Mike Defensor again, Ador Mawanay 2.0–kilala ang salitang ‘Mawanay’ dahil sa pamimilit diumano sa kaniya na gumawa ng pekeng salaysay (Mike Defensor, the known wonder boy. Many of his speeches have encouraged the public to remove the President from office, so we know his motive. Mike Defensor again, Ador Mawanay 2.0 — Mawanay is known for allegedly being pressured to make a false statement),” Castro said.
“Mayroon tayong impormasyon na isang tao sa administrasyon dati ni GMA na isang operator na ang trabaho lamang ay to muddle the issues. ‘Pag ang taong ito ay kasama sa isang issue, something is fishy (We have information that someone from the Arroyo administration works only to muddle issues. When that person is involved, something is fishy),” she added, referring to former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Defensor, in a separate statement, cautioned Castro about her remarks.
“Hindi ito palengke o sari-sari store na puwedeng magbato ng tsismis na parang usapang Maritess. She speaks for the President and represents Malacañang (This is not a market or a sari-sari store where you can just throw rumors around),” he said.
“Her words and posturing must be sober, precise, and statesmanlike,” he added.
Defensor also denied involvement in the Ador Mawanay controversy, saying the issue had long been clarified.