The 10 so-called ‘maleta boys’ or the alleged bagmen of former lawmaker Zaldy Co have been released from police custody after posting bail for four counts of perjury, their legal counsel Levito Baligod announced on Saturday.
They were arrested by the police and brought to the Las Piñas City Police Station on Friday after Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Judge Kathryn Sabado issued an arrest warrant for four counts of perjury.
According to the National Capital Region Police Office, they had a recommended bail of 18,000 for each count.
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) and 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) and 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.