FROM being whistleblowers, all 18 individuals referred to as “Maleta Boys” may soon find themselves in an awkward situation after a local court issued an arrest warrant against them.
The arrest warrant, signed by Las Piñas regional trial court Judge Kathryn Sabado, stemmed from perjury charges filed by Mamamayang Liberal partylist Rep. Leila de Lima, former senator Sonny Trillanes IV, former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.
The so-called Maleta Boys, who claimed to have worked as security personnel for fugitive Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, previously admitted before the Senate blue ribbon committee delivering kickbacks to prominent personalities.
Each of the 18 members of the Maleta Boys are facing four counts of perjury. Each count of perjury has a bail of P18,000.
Interestingly, lawyer Levito Baligod filed a motion to reduce bail for 14 of the 18 respondents, adding that the four he was no longer representing have recanted their statements.
