Metro Manila, Philippines – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag will seek to inhibit the Davao City prosecutor from the libel and cyber libel complaints against him by Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte over alleged family ties.
Matibag said on Monday, Oct. 26, that he will file an urgent motion to change prosecutors, and a motion to suspend the proceedings, with the Department of Justice and the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office over prosecutor Jhopee Salvador Avanceña, allegedly a relative of Honeylet Avanceña, partner of the patriarch, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
A letter of intent would also be sent to the Secretary of Justice for his case to be transferred to the National Prosecution Service.
“It’s the discretion of the Secretary of Justice. Probably can appoint a special prosecutor for this purpose,” Matibag said.
Although there is no legal affinity by marriage, Matibag said there is still a “deep relationship” between the two supposed relatives, suggesting the possibility of bias and partiality.
The lawmaker filed libel and cyber libel cases against Matibag, dismissed patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and GMA Network executives and journalists on Friday, Oct. 23, for publicizing allegations that members of the Duterte family received cash-filled suitcases from then Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena.
Duterte has said he is innocent of Gracioso’s claims, and has accused the complainants of tarnishing his reputation.
