Cyberlibel case vs clergy, DT dismissed

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed a cyberlibel complaint filed by Aries Aguilan, who identifies as an Anglican archbishop, against two Catholic clergymen, a journalist and two media outlets. Aguilan had alleged they branded him a “fake” priest.

In a resolution dated July 2025, prosecutors found no probable cause to charge Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio, Rev. Fr. Harley Flores, Sunstar Publishing Inc., journalist Reyn Letran-Ibañez of VeritasPH and DAILY TRIBUNE under Section 4(c)(4) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Aguilan’s complaint stemmed from a 21 October 2022 letter issued by the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP), which was later published online. He claimed the letter falsely implied he was fraudulently presenting himself as a Catholic priest, causing him humiliation and disrepute as an ordained clergyman of the International Conservative Anglican Communion, also known as the Worldwide Anglican Church.

He submitted religious credentials, military appointment orders and screenshots of news articles as evidence.

However, prosecutors found the allegations lacked merit and cited that the letter from Florencio and Flores did not directly name Aguilan. It merely stated that a “Fr. Aries Aguilar” was not affiliated with the Catholic military diocese and warned that any representation made in the diocese’s name was unauthorized.

“Even assuming for the sake of argument that ‘Fr. Aries Aguilar’ refers to the complainant, the letter does not attribute to the complainant any act that would lead the reader to believe [he] committed a crime,” the resolution stated. “The letter does not label the complainant as a ‘fake’ priest.”

The MOP clarified its letter was issued in response to confusion among Catholic faithful and complaints about alleged misrepresentation. The diocese emphasized that Aguilan had never been part of its clergy or endorsed for chaplaincy service.

Prosecutors also cleared the journalists and media outlets, stating there was no proof of malice in their publication of the MOP’s advisory. “The statements made, apart from being factual and truthful, do not tarnish the name or reputation of the complainant,” the resolution read, adding that quoting a public advisory from church authorities was not defamatory.

Sunstar, through its executive publisher, stated the article was published in good faith and based solely on the MOP letter. VeritasPH reporter Ibañez similarly argued their coverage merely echoed the advisory and did not intend to malign Aguilan.

The DAILY TRIBUNE, while not filing a counter-affidavit, successfully filed a motion to dismiss on procedural grounds, which was granted following the dismissal of the larger complaint.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the instant complaint... is hereby recommended dismissed for failure to establish prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction,” the prosecutor’s office disclosed.

Aguilan had previously claimed to have been designated as a chaplain for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command in 2019, though MOP records cited by Flores and Florencio showed his call to active duty was nullified in 2020.