Metro Manila, Philippines – Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte formally filed libel complaints with the Office of the Prosecutor in Davao City on Friday, Oct. 23.
The respondents are National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Melvin Matibag, former patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and GMA Network executives and journalists.
This complaint was in response to the NBI fact-finding investigation on Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her family, including Pulong, on allegations by Gracioso that they received billions in cash-filled suitcases from former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
Gracioso submitted his sworn statement in September.
The NBI has since opened investigations on alleged misdeclared properties in the Duterte family’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, linking the lawmaker to a resort in Samal Island and raising red flags on 47 flood control projects in the congressional district.
The Duterte camp has denied the allegations, as well as accused the bureau of using public funds for matters not of public interest.
Matibag previously stated that the Duterte family has the right to take legal action against him or the agency, but maintained that they are only fulfilling their mandate.
GMA Network said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint and will issue a response upon receipt. The respondents included hosts Mel Tiangco, Emil Sumangil, and Vicky Morales.
Mamamayang-Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima described the libel complaints against the media company as “an attempt to silence journalists and truth-seekers, depriving them of their freedom of the press.”
“Kungsabagay, hindi na ito bago sa pamilya Duterte… Napaghahalata na allergic sa mga nag-uulat at naghahangad na malaman kung ano ang totoo, at idinadaan sa galawang pagbabanta at pananakot,” she added.
