Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22)— Columnist Ramon Tulfo faces another libel complaint, this time from the Internal Revenue chief.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay on Thursday filed three counts of libel and four counts of cyber libel case against Tulfo and Manila Times editors and officials.
The case comes two days after the news website released Tulfo’s column on alleged corruption in the BIR. Tulfo said authorities should investigate Dulay “for corruption.”
The commissioner, in his complaint, called for the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order against Tulfo.
“Tulfo is a flight risk. He comes from a family of influence within and outside the country, and with high social and financial standing. He is often scheduled to leave the country,” Dulay said.
“With this and other numerous complaints against Tulfo and with the existence of a very strong criminal case against him, there is a high probability that he may go out of the country again anytime soon to avoid prosecution and arrest for his case,” he added.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last week filed his third libel complaint against Tulfo. The columnist said Medialdea was also involved in corruption and is incompetent.
The Revised Penal Code defines libel as “public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.” It is punishable with up to six months imprisonment.
