Senator Win Gatchalian has dropped the cyber libel cases he filed against former Energy chief Alfonso Cusi.

"We will withdraw the libel case, that is the agreement and both criminal and civil cyber libel cases," Gatchalian told reporters on Tuesday.

Gatchalian earlier said the withdrawal of the cases was in the "spirit of magnanimity," saying it underscored the need for all government officials "to exercise care in their words, recognizing the impact they have on the public."

"First of all, I accept his apology. And this will be a lesson to all public servants, including myself," he said.

P16M sought

The lawmaker filed a civil lawsuit against the former energy department chief last February, seeking up to P16 million in damages with P10 million in moral damages, P5 million in exemplary damages, and P1 million in attorney's fees.

Cusi said he had no intention of accusing Gatchalian "of any crime, vice or defect, or of dishonoring his reputation."

"I regret any negative insinuations that may have arisen from this particular post and apologize to Senator Gatchalian for whatever pain and humiliation that the published statement may have caused him," Cusi said.