Pulong Duterte responds to De Lima's remarks on libel, cyber libel raps

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Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte called out ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima for criticizing his move to file cyber libel and libel charges against GMA Network Inc. and several journalists, saying he was merely exercising his right to defend his name.

In a Facebook post past midnight Saturday, Duterte said every citizen is entitled to such protections under the law.

"De Lima, as a lawyer and former human rights advocate, you know that every person has the right to protect themselves from any accusation. Filing a case through the legal process is not an attack on the freedom of speech, but a right that every citizen has," Duterte said in Bisaya.

On Friday, Duterte lodged a libel and cyber libel complaint against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag and dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. over claims of cash delivery to their family.

Executives and journalists of GMA Network were also included in the complaint.

Hours after the filing, De Lima issued a statement saying the complaint was meant to strike fear among media practitioners.

"This is clearly an attempt to silence journalists and truth-seekers, depriving them of their freedom of the press. Filing a libel case against a media network and its journalists for doing their job of reporting allegations of corruption sends a chilling message to other media practitioners," said De Lima, who also serves as senior deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives.

However, Duterte insisted that press freedom has its limits when it violates the rights of others.

"Freedom of the press is important for democracy, but it comes with the responsibility to ensure the safety of those who report and give opportunities to the other side to respond. Reporting an allegation and proving it to be true are two different things," Duterte said.

Reminding De Lima she previously faced controversies and allegations, Duterte said he hopes that her stance on justice and the right to defense remains unchanged.

De Lima was a justice secretary and senator who was a staunch critic of the Davao City congressman's father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. She was jailed in February 2017 during the Duterte administration and spent nearly seven years in detention on drug-related charges. All of her charges were cleared in June 2024.

"A person's right should not be defended at the expense of their own safety, which can be used as a pretext to silence the media. In the same way, freedom of speech should not be used to silence others who are asking for justice," Paolo Duterte said, as he called for a fair, evidence-based process to dispute allegations instead of what he called prejudiced judgment.

As a parting shot to De Lima, Duterte said, "Just stay in Congress, be cute, smile, smile."

In a statement, GMA Network said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

"We will review the matter and comment accordingly upon receipt," it said.

Gracioso previously alleged that he delivered cash to former president Duterte, congressman Duterte, and his sister Vice President Sara Duterte upon the instruction of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

The Davao City lawmaker has dismissed Gracioso's claims as "pure fiction."

The vice president has also denied the allegations and filed her affidavit with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Velasco's camp has said the allegations against him have "no basis." — VDV, GMA News