Trillanes adds to complaints vs 18 ex-soldiers; Cayetano, Marcoleta also sued

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:27 p.m.) — 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—also disgraced soldiers—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 allegations as "manufactured lies" intended to destroy his reputation.

"Clearly, the above statements of Respondents 18 'ex-marines' as well as the instant remarks of Respondents Cayetano and Marcoleta, construed all together in their entirety and taken in their plain, natural and ordinary meaning are unquestionably defamatory, seriously injuring my good name, honor, and character, undermining my motives and good faith as a former public servant," Trillanes said.

There were inconsistencies in the respodents' stories, Trillanes noted, such that in their previous statements and affidavits, the former soldiers gave conflicting accounts on the number of suitcases, delivery locations, and people present during transactions.

He also said the proceeding was used to spread defamatory claims under the appearance of a Senate inquiry. Cayetano and Marcoleta have also been named in his complaint, he said, since they facilitated the hearing.

"The June 4, 2026 so-called 'Blue Ribbon hearing' is not an official hearing, hence, does not fall under the "absolutely privileged communications" exception to the general rule on malice. The presumption of malice stands with respect to the defamatory remarks made by Respondents Cayetano and Marcoleta," Trillanes' complaint read.

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.