MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. filed cyber libel complaints with the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office against lawyer Levito Baligod and former Congressman Rizaldy Co, citing a sustained campaign of defamatory statements against the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Tiu Laurel accused Baligod of repeatedly alleging—through press briefings and social media—“anomalies” and unlawful acts within the DA, including the supposed diversion and misappropriation of public funds.

Separately, he lodged a complaint against Co over a series of video statements alleging that the first lady had interfered in agency affairs and that her brother, Martin Araneta, was involved in onion importation or smuggling issues.

Tiu Laurel described the move as a follow-up to his earlier challenge for Co to 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.

He said the claims linked to Baligod first emerged during a press conference featuring military personnel who alleged delivering ill-gotten funds to public officials. The allegations also tied the DA to ghost irrigation projects and other supposed irregularities—charges Tiu Laurel rejected as baseless.

“I first saw these statements online at my residence in Makati City, which falls under the jurisdiction of this fiscal’s office,” he 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 of up to P1.5 million.