MANILA — The lawyer who prepared an affidavit executed by 18 supposed former Marines and Philippine Army personnel admitted he made an error in including Rep. Leila De Lima (ML Party-list) among the alleged recipients of cash-filled suitcases.

The affidavit, disclosed on Feb. 23, alleged that the former service members acted as bagmen for former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, delivering suitcases containing cash to lawmakers and government officials. Among those named were De Lima, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and President Bongbong Marcos.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, lawyer Levi Baligod clarified that none of the 18 individuals testified to delivering suitcases to De Lima and acknowledged including her name in error.

“Pupwede error po ‘yun on my part (It can be an error on my part),” Baligod said in an interview on 105.9 True FM.

“I want to make it clear, at this point, na it could be an oversight for me na kasama siya roon sa listahan ng Congress members that created the impression na nabigyan din siya ng male-maletang [kickback],” he added.

Baligod said he included De Lima’s name because the former soldiers claimed to have seen her at alleged meetings between public officials and representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He, however, did not clear her of bribery allegations, saying his clients claimed to have seen her visit a townhouse and leave with a paper bag containing cash. He added that the alleged bagmen said they knew the bag contained money because they had purchased it themselves.

De Lima dismissed the claims as a “demolition job” and rejected what she described as a “ridiculous claim” that she received millions of pesos from Co.

“Whether sa maleta o sa paper bag o anuman ‘yan, malinaw na imbento lang ‘yan. Nagkakabuhol-buhol na agad ‘yung kwento nila dahil sa lantarang kasinungalingan at paninira na naman sa akin! Baligod is playing fast and loose with his license to practice law,” she said Thursday.

The affidavit also alleged that funds supposedly provided by Co were intended to support the ICC’s investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. It claimed that the former soldiers delivered millions of pesos to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV for this purpose.

Trillanes denied accepting a $2-million bribe from Co, while the ICC Office of the Prosecutor told GMA News that its activities are funded through budgets approved by the ICC Assembly of State Parties.

Baligod said he began looking into the matter after retired Sergeant Orly Guteza claimed during a Senate hearing that he had delivered cash on behalf of Co. He later gathered testimonies from other former soldiers in October and November 2025.

On Thursday, Baligod submitted a notarized affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman, saying it included photos and videos of houses where the suitcases were allegedly delivered. Authorities have yet to verify the footage.

Several lawmakers named in the affidavit have rejected the allegations and questioned its credibility, noting that its release coincided with Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC.

The Philippine Navy, meanwhile, clarified that four of the 18 individuals identified as former soldiers were never in the military. It added that most of the others had been dishonorably discharged, while some were confirmed retirees.