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Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV at the Department of Justice on June 24, 2026.
Philstar.com / Ian Laqui
MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV has added to the stack of libel and cyberlibel complaints filed over allegations made by the 18 former staff and bodyguards of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who have accused several public figures of receiving suitcases of cash.
Trillanes filed the complaint before the Department of Justice on Thursday, June 25, against Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta, along with the 18 men who appeared in the Cayetano bloc's disputed Blue Ribbon committee hearing on June 4.
The complaint centered on statements made during what Trillanes described as a "rogue" and "sham" Blue Ribbon hearing.
During the proceeding, the 18 self-proclaimed bagmen claimed Trillanes received and delivered suitcases of cash to International Criminal Court investigators.
Trillanes denied the allegation and said the proceeding was used to spread defamatory claims under the appearance of a Senate inquiry.
Others have sued
The 18 men, initially presented in public as "former Marines," have also been sued by other personalities—mostly Marcos administration officials or critics of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his family—they allegedly linked to cash deliveries or kickbacks tied to Co.
Earlier complaints have been filed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Reps. Joel Chua and Benny Abante Jr., and Zia Alonto Adiong. The complaints accused the 18 men, their lawyer or media platforms that aired the claims of libel, cyberlibel or related offenses over allegations the complainants said were false.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has also cautioned against collectively calling the group "former Marines," saying not all were former members of the Philippine Marine Corps and that they were no longer in active military service when the alleged acts took place.
Disputed hearing
The June 4 proceeding was conducted by senators aligned with Cayetano amid the Senate leadership dispute.
The hearing was not recognized by the Gatchalian bloc, which later asserted control of the chamber and the Blue Ribbon committee.
The Blue Ribbon committee is now chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo under the majority-recognized Senate leadership of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
Co, a former Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker, is overseas and has been linked to allegations involving flood control projects.
