Pulong Duterte files P 20-M cyberlibel raps vs NBI chief, et al

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Friday filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against several individuals, a television network and its officials and journalists over allegations of bribery that he said were “untrue” and meant to destroy his reputation.

Duterte, who personally appeared at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office, filed the complaints against National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag, dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and GMA Network officials and journalists.

Named as respondents from GMA Network were executives Felipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr., television personalities Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales, and Emil Sumangil, Darlene Cay, Marvin Parado, and Joel San Luis, as well as John and Jane Does.

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READ: Paolo Duterte disputes NBI chief’s claim he owns Samal property

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Duterte is seeking P10 million in moral damages and P10 million in exemplary damages.

“We filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against Matibag, Gracioso, and several personalities from GMA News’ “24 Oras” over their statements, which are untrue and clearly intended to tarnish my name and that of my family,” Duterte told Davao media.

For family’s sake

The congressman, the eldest child of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said he filed the case for the sake of his children, his mother and the rest of his family.

READ: Castro calls Paolo Duterte ‘living in darkness, fake news’

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The complaints stemmed from Gracioso’s allegations that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family on the instructions of former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. GMA Network aired a prerecorded report on its flagship evening newscast “24 Oras” on Sept. 25 containing the same claims.

“If we examine what happened from Gracioso’s sworn statement on Sept. 14 until the airing of his and Atty. Matibag’s interview on GMA on Sept. 25, we will see that there was malice to defame our client and the Duterte family in the immediate release of Gracioso’s allegations,” lawyer Peter Paul Danao, Duterte’s counsel, said in a statement on Friday.

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99-percent true

The counsel pointed out that Duterte did not even personally know Gracioso.

Danao also criticized that even though the NBI’s investigation into Gracioso’s allegations is still ongoing, Matibag already said in a recent interview that the former police officer’s lie detector test showed that his statements were 99-percent true.

He said the bureau did “not even give our client a chance to respond and they have already given GMA a copy of Gracioso’s testimony.” He further claimed that GMA Network did not verify Gracioso’s background when they reported his “cash delivery” claims.

‘Chilling message’

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said Duterte’s move “sends a chilling message to other media practitioners.”

“This is clearly an attempt to silence journalists and truth-seekers, depriving them of their freedom of the press,” De Lima said in a Facebook post.

“Come to think of it, this is not new to the Duterte family. Under Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Rappler’s license to operate was revoked, Inquirer was attacked, and ABS-CBN was closed down in the middle of the pandemic, even if thousands of employees were affected,” she added.

De Lima said Duterte could address the accusations as part of taking accountability.

“It’s obvious that they’re allergic to journalists and those who seek the truth, and are using threats and intimidation,” she said.

‘Prerogative’

Following the filing of the complaint, Matibag said he would wait for a copy of the complaint-affidavit, adding that Duterte’s action was his “prerogative.”

“We can’t stop him or tell him what to do. So it’s good that he bring this before the justice system, so we will know what the direction will be,” Matibag said in an interview.

GMA Network, meanwhile, said in a statement that it also has not yet received a copy of the congressman’s complaint.

“We will review the matter and comment accordingly upon receipt,” said the network.

The NBI director earlier said the bureau issued an invitation letter to Duterte to air his side on Gracioso’s allegations, but he instead sent a lawyer to submit a one-page letter questioning the bureau’s jurisdiction to investigate.

Gracioso alleged that he delivered large sums of cash not only to the congressman, but also to Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Duterte starting 2018 upon the instructions of Velasco, his former boss.

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The other implicated individuals have denied the allegations. INQ