MANILA — Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has strongly criticized Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte’s decision to file libel and cyberlibel complaints against executives and journalists of GMA Network, warning that the legal action casts a chilling shadow over press freedom.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, the former senator argued that the move aims to suppress truth-seekers and could discourage media practitioners from pursuing vital public-interest stories, noting that online trolls have also capitalized on the issue to intimidate media institutions.
“This is clearly an attempt to silence journalists and truth-seekers, depriving them of their freedom of the press,” De Lima said.
Recalling previous conflicts between the media and the Duterte family, she added:
“Kungsabagay, hindi na ito bago sa pamilya Duterte. Sa administrasyon ni Rodrigo Duterte, ni-revoke ang license to operate ng Rappler, inatake ang Inquirer, at ipinasara ang ABS-CBN sa kasagsagan ng pandemya, kahit libo-libong empleyado ang apektado.”
According to De Lima, her colleague in the House could have simply addressed the allegations rather than resorting to legal threats, especially since the network had sought his side.
“Pwede namang sumagot sa mga akusasyon lalo pa’t hinihingi ng media ang kanilang panig. Bahagi yan ng pananagutan sa taumbayan. Napaghahalata na allergic sa mga nag-uulat at naghahangad na malaman kung ano ang totoo, at idinadaan sa galawang pagbabanta at pananakot,” she noted.
The legal battle stems from a September 25 GMA report featuring former policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag regarding allegations that suitcases of cash were delivered to the Duterte family upon the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
In response, Paolo Duterte personally filed the complaints at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday against GMA Network executives Felipe Gozon and Gilberto Duavit Jr.; broadcast personalities Mel Tiangco, Vicki Morales, Emil Sumangil, Darlene Cay, Marvin Parado, and Joel San Luis; along with Matibag, Gracioso, and other respondents.
His legal counsel, Atty. Peter Paul Danao, argued that the claims were false, intended to defame the family, and aired without properly seeking his client’s side beforehand.
Meanwhile, GMA Network stated that it has yet to receive a copy of the formal complaint and will review the matter to provide a proper response upon receipt.