Press Release
May 16, 2014

MIRIAM MULLS BALIGOD DISBARMENT

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, one of few senators not included in the signed Janet Napoles list of pork scammers, said that she is studying whether to file disbarment proceedings against Levito Baligod, who claimed yesterday (May 16) that he was the one who drew up the list of Benhur Luy, the principal whistleblower.

The Luy list was circulated this week, incurring the ire of several senators, including Santiago, the only Filipina politician who is a laureate of the Asia-wide Magsaysay Award for government service.

Santiago was cited for "bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a corrupt government agency."

"The Magsaysay Award Foundation authorized a secret investigation of my integrity before I was chosen. Now, scums like Baligod and his conspirators think nothing of destroying my reputation. If there is any justice in this world, Baligod and his backers should be drawn, quartered, and their severed heads hung from the highest Rizal Park flagpoles," Santiago said.

Santiago is the first Filipina elected judge of the International Criminal Court, to which she has not yet reported for duty because of her continuing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Her staff said she is conducting a worldwide search for a CFS center that might offer a cure. "It appears that Baligod, by his own admission, concocted the list and distributed it. It also appears that Luy dismissed Baligod and is now represented by lawyer Raji Mendoza. The incumbent lawyer has told media that Luy had nothing to do with the preparation of the so-called Luy list. If so, then Baligod should take full responsibility," the senator said.

Santiago said that under the Penal Code, libel is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime (such as bribery) which tends to cause the dishonor and discredit of any person, and therefore Baligod is guilty of libel.

The senator also added that under the Rules of Court, any member of the bar maybe disbarred by the Supreme Court for "any deceit, malpractice, or other gross misconduct in public office, grossly immoral conduct, or by reason of his conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or for any violation of the lawyer's oath, and therefore Baligod should be disbarred."

Santiago also said that both the lawyers of Luy - Baligod and Mendoza - should also be called to the Senate hearing on the pork scam, together with their common client Luy, to settle the criminal responsibility for the Luy list.

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