MANILA — Lawyer Levi Baligod has admitted an “error” in including Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima in a list of lawmakers alleged to have received kickbacks from flood control projects.

The admission contradicts earlier affidavits from individuals claiming to be former marines and aides of former Zaldy Co.

“I want to make it clear, at this point, na it could be an oversight for me na kasama siya roon sa listahan ng Congress members that created the impression na nabigyan din siya ng male-maletang [kickback],” Baligod told True FM’s Ted Failon and DJ Chacha in an interview. “Pero ang binabanggit kasi nila noon, nakakasama siya sa mga meeting patungkol sa ICC, kaya nilagay ko na lamang siya sa mga miyembro ng Congress. Pupuwede pong error ‘yon on my part,” he added.

De Lima, who was only elected to Congress in the 2025 midterm elections as Mamamayang Liberal Party-list representative, dismissed the claims as fabricated.

“Whether sa maleta o sa paper bag o anuman yan, malinaw na imbento lang yan,” De Lima said in a post on X. “Nagkakabuhol-buhol na agad yung kwento nila dahil sa lantarang kasinungalingan at paninira na naman sa akin! Baligod is playing fast and loose with his license to practice law,” she added.

The allegations first emerged on Tuesday, February 24, when Baligod and 18 alleged Marine bagmen included De Lima on a list of current and former House members said to have received “luggages of cash” from anomalous flood control projects.

Baligod claimed the bag allegedly contained “either P5 or P10 million.”

The former senator has consistently denied the allegations. “How preposterous! Sobrang nakakatawa ang pinalalabas nilang isa ako sa mga pinadalhan o tumanggap ng maleta. Clear demolition job, concoction of lies. I absolutely and firmly deny any such ridiculous claim,” she said in a statement.

📷 Leila De Lima FB