Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday, March 19, filed cyber libel complaints before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office against lawyer Levito Baligod and former Congressman Rizaldy Co, citing a sustained campaign of defamatory attacks against the Department of Agriculture.
Tiu Laurel accused Baligod of repeatedly making allegations—through press briefings and social media—claiming “anomalies” and unlawful acts within the DA, including the alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds.
Separately, he filed a complaint against former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Co over statements in a series of video recordings alleging that the first lady had interfered in agency matters and her brother, Martin Araneta, had been involved in onion importation or smuggling issues.
Tiu Laurel described the filing as a follow-up to his earlier challenge for Co to step forward and substantiate his claims.
“This feels like a distraction from the work I need to do as Agriculture Secretary, especially during these challenging times. But I will no longer allow myself to be their punching bag,” the DA chief said in an interview.
Regarding Baligod, Tiu Laurel said the malicious claims first surfaced during a press conference featuring a group of military personnel who claimed to have delivered ill-gotten funds to public officials. The allegations also linked the DA to ghost irrigation projects and other supposed irregularities—claims the agriculture chief categorically rejected as baseless and defamatory.
“I first saw these statements online at my residence in Makati City, which falls under the jurisdiction of this fiscal’s office,” Tiu Laurel said. “These statements are false, malicious, and calculated to dishonor and discredit. They not only target my personal integrity but also undermine public confidence in the agency.”
He concluded, “Respondent’s repeated public statements, made with clear malicious intent, constitute cyber libel.” Under Philippine law, cyber libel carries penalties of up to 12 years in prison or fines reaching PHP1.5 million.
