Lawyer Levito Baligod, an anti-corruption advocate, is urging the implementation of a continuous budget process to reduce government corruption. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in all government projects to ensure the responsible use of public funds.

Baligod cited as an example the allegations against Ako-Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, who was removed as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations on January 13, 2025, amid controversies surrounding budget cuts and alleged pork barrel funds.

In March 2025, allegations emerged that Co had lobbied for infrastructure projects that directly benefited his private companies, particularly in Bicol and other projects linked to Sunwest.

Why party list instead of running for the senate?

“Ang political podium kasi ng Pilipino, tinitignan nila ‘yung sikat na, ‘yung nakaupo na, o ‘yung may kakayanan and resources na makapaglagay ng streamer mula Aparri hanggang Jolo. Wala tayong resources na ganyan. Kaya tayo, gusto nating makapag-serbisyo, nag-umpisa muna tayo sa sarili nating lugar. Na ’yung problema ng bansa ay nandun din sa lugar namin. It is a microcosm of a national problem – dugs, poverty, illiteracy, problem on access to free health services, marami sa aming lugar na takot silang ipasok ang pasyente sa hospital dahil wala silang pambayad, wala silang pambili ng gamot. Alam ninyo sa lugar namin sa Baybay, Leyte, maraming tao dun na kinakain sila na root crop pero poisonous. Ang ginagawa nila, hinihiwa nila nang maninipis, ilalagay sa sako, isang gabi na ilalagay sa river para matanggal ang poison. Tapos ang solusyon na naiisip ng gobyerno ay ayuda. Ang ayuda is the worst form of government program because you will just encourage dependency. Ang nakalagay nga sa bibliya teach the people how to fish, don’t just give them fish.”

What will he do if he gets a budget for ayuda if he becomes a congressman?

Kung meron mang pondo para sa ayuda, pwede naming hilingin na i-convert ito sa ibang programa. Food security. Ang gusto nating isulong magkaroon ng barangay food center at trabaho. At ‘yung barangay mismo, barangay officials ang bibili ng mga produkto ng magsasaka.”

How can people make sure that Atty. Levito won’t be influenced by other political parties?

“Masasabi ko sa sarili ko na nobody influenced me. In fact, dalawang representatives na nakalaban ni BBM for Vice President, brinibe nila ako para ilabas ko ‘yung evidence daw against BBM sa PDAF scam cases. Sabi ko, I will not allow the PDAF scam to be politicized. 2022, again, representatives from two contending candidates attempted to offer me something. Sabi ko, I will not allow that to happen. Kung ilalabas ko ang evidence against anyone involved in the PDAF scam kung nag-file ako ng kaso. Ngayon, sa latest na involvement ko kay Arnie Tevez, maraming nagco-complain na taga Negros na biktima na wala silang matakbuhan. Ang nag-convince sa akin na isang insidente na estudyante sa Silliman University, na naglalakad siya, dumaan ‘yung isang anak na naka-Lamborghini, at sinabihan niya ‘yung bata saan siya pupunta, sinabihan siya na sumabay na siya. In short, napagsamantalahan ‘yung bata. Then, pumunta sila sa police station, nag-blotter ang magulang. Nung nabasa ng pulis ‘yung sinusulat na may Tevez, hinablot ng pulis ‘yung log book. Ang sabi, ‘ano? Ire-reklamo ninyo si Tevez? Gusto ninyo buong pamilya ninyo mawala?’ So, ang ginawa ko, I secretly visited Negros, quietly gathering evidence, quietly talking to potential witnesses and my only effort, naka-establish ako ng 64 previous hearings. Nagkataon naman na namatay si Governer Degamo, and alam ni Mayor Degamo ‘yung ginagawa ko sa Negros, ay humingi siya ng tulong. Kaya naging abogado ako ng Degamo tsaka ‘yung 18 other victims,” shares Atty. Levito.

Why is Atty. Levito exposing himself to dangerous people and situations?

“Alam ninyo po, I regard life as a privilege na kailangan gamitin ito para sa ikabubuti ng kapwa tao mo, sa ikabubuti ng bayan. May nagtanong sa akin na what is the purpose of life? The purpose of life is not to be happy, the purpose of life is to be meaningful, to be helpful, to stand for something and to make a difference that you ever lived at all. So, kailangan gamitin natin ang buhay natin sa isang meaningful na bagay.”

Did he ever receive death threats?

“Nung PDAF scam, marami. Meron akong na-monitor na isang active na threat non dahil ‘yung isang pulis na nagbabantay sa isang mambabatas ay nagkataon na kaibigan at nakapag-report siya na may pinaplano sa akin. Pero ang kagandahan kasi ay UP Vanguard ako, meron kaming training sa ganyan (threats). Ang importante kasi dyan, you deny anybody intelligence. Ibig sabihin, dapat wala silang alam sa mga lakad mo, hindi nila alam anong oras, etc.”

Watch our interview with Atty. Levito Baligod below: