DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte lightheartedly raised the prospect of taking legal action against GMA Network, teasing a ₱200-million libel suit after accusing the broadcasting giant of airing unverified statements from a former security aide.
Speaking at a press conference in Davao City on Tuesday, October 6, Duterte voiced frustration over a news report featuring claims by Rodolfo Mondigo Gracioso Jr., former security chief of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
“Pwede ko ba i-libel ang GMA News nito? Hindi man lang sila nag-check ba?” Duterte said.
“Libel ko itong GMA. Magkano? 200 million para pumera naman ako dito,” she added.
Continuing in a light tone, the Vice President quipped about the potential financial impact such a lawsuit could have on the network’s operations.
“Baka magsara ‘yung kumpanya n’yo. Mahal kita. Hindi ko isasara ang…” she said, trailing off.
Duterte made the remarks while systematically refuting several claims made by Gracioso, specifically challenging his account regarding her May 2022 visit to San Isidro, Northern Samar.
According to the report read by Duterte, Gracioso produced a photograph allegedly taken in his hometown and identified himself as a regional coordinator for “Pusong Pinoy,” which he described as a party-list group associated with Duterte and Rowena Velasco, wife of former Speaker Velasco. Duterte firmly denied both allegations during the briefing.
The playful threat targeting the broadcast giant comes against the backdrop of the country’s recent media landscape history, where former rival network ABS-CBN ceased free-TV operations after its 25-year franchise renewal was denied by the House of Representatives during the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.