Baligod: 10 ‘maleta boys’ released after posting bail

MANILA, Philippines — The 10 individuals known as the “maleta boys,” or the alleged bagmen of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co, have been released from police custody after posting bail on four counts of perjury, according their lawyer, Levito Baligod, who made the announcement on Saturday.

Following an arrest warrant issued by Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Judge Kathryn Sabado for four counts of perjury, police apprehended them on Friday and detained them at the Las Piñas City Police Station.

According to the National Capital Region Police Office, they had a recommended bail of 18,000 for each count.

Court failed to process Maleta boys’ bail

Baligod, however, said on Friday that the court failed to process their bail in what he described a “highly irregular” process. He said the delay was on purpose due to “artificial requirements.”

“Naka-pyansa at nakalabas na po ang B14. Maraming salamat po sa suporta! Salamat RTC Br. 200 (Saturday Court) & OCC-Las Piñas!” Baligod wrote in a Facebook post.

(The B14 posted bail and were already released from custody. Thank you so much for the support! Thank you RTC Br. 200 (Saturday Court) & OCC-Las Piñas!)

Three of the “maleta boys” successfully posted bail on Friday while the other one went to his province because of the death of a loved one.

Meanwhile, the four others previously recanted their statements accusing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other government officials of receiving kickbacks from flood control projects.

In a separate interview, Baligod said no other courts have issued arrest warrants against them. He added that there is no schedule yet for the hearing on the maleta boys’ cases. /gsg

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