MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Office of the Prosecutor General, has approved the filing of multiple criminal informations against lawyer Levito D. Baligod and the group referred to as the “18 maleta boys.”

In a statement, the DOJ said the cases stem from complaints involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, as well as related press conferences, interviews, social media posts, and other online publications.

Under the approved resolutions, the “18 maleta boys” will face 10 separate informations consisting of six counts of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and four counts of perjury.

Baligod will be included as a co-accused with the group in some of the informations. A separate information charging him with one count of cyber libel under the same law will also be filed.

The DOJ said the corresponding informations will be filed before the appropriate courts.

The department added that other complaints covered by the resolutions were dismissed for lack of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.

According to the DOJ, the approval of the prosecution panels’ recommendations constitutes a determination, for purposes of preliminary investigation, that prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction exists.

The agency said the cases will proceed before the appropriate courts in accordance with law and due process.

In a statement on Tuesday, Baligod said he and his camp would seek reconsideration of the DOJ’s ruling.PNA