Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. has filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy Co, alongside their lawyer Levito Baligod. The complaints arise from accusations made in an affidavit, claiming Abante received suitcases full of cash during the 19th Congress. Abante, who filed the complaints at Manila City Hall, vehemently denies these allegations, describing them as baseless and misleading. He criticized the bodyguards for opting to publicly air their claims instead of addressing them through appropriate legal channels. Abante emphasized that the allegations lack specific details or evidence, stating he has never met the bodyguards nor received money from Co. The issue gained renewed attention during a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, where the bodyguards reiterated their claims, asserting they were tasked by Co to deliver cash to various individuals, including House members.