Tarriela files cyberlibel vs Sass Sasot

Metro Manila, Philippines - Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela has filed a cyberlibel complaint against social media personality Sass Sasot on Friday, July 4.

Tarriela’s complaint, lodged with the Manila Prosecutor's Office, stemmed from Sasot’s accusations online, insinuating that the spokesman was involved in bribery, corruption, and cheating.

The coast guard official refuted the allegations.

“There are limits to our constitutional right to freedom of expression. Kung magsasalita ka ng bagay na wala namang basehan, and it will also damage my reputation, para sa’kin, you need to be hold accountable sa mga ginagawa mo na ‘to kasi it also damage my credibility as a spokesperson,” Tarriela said in a chance interview.

[Translation: If you talk baselessly, and it will also damage my reputation, for me, you need to be held accountable for your actions because it also damages my credibility as a spokesperson.]

In separate social media posts last year, Sasot said there were rumors that Tarriela was receiving a $4-million talent fee from the United States; went to get bags of money from House Speaker Martin Romualdez; and cheated during his school days in the Philippine Military Academy, among others.

“People who follow him or believe whatever he tweets or posts sa [on] Facebook, tatanggapin nila ito na [they will accept it] as a gospel truth. Through challenging Ms. Sasot dito sa [here in] court, for him to produce evidence, to say na [that her posts are] factual at totoo ‘yung pinagpo-post niya na ‘yan [and true], I think this is the proper venue,” Tarriela said.

He also said that an award of damages is warranted amounting to:

+ at least P300,000 in moral damages

+ at least P200,000 for nominal damages

+ at least P250,000 for exemplary damages

+ at least P500,000 for temperate damages

Sasot said she recognized Tarriela’s right to file a case.

“His legal complaint must be legally served in order for me to answer it legally. I will wait where I live, which is outside the Philippines, to receive it legally and thereby answer it legally,” she said in a Facebook post.

Sasot was cited in contempt by a House of Representatives panel investigating online disinformation for refusing to answer summons without excuse. The detention order, however, was lifted after the committee completed its inquiry.