‘Pulong’ files libel raps vs Matibag, others

Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has filed criminal libel and cyberlibel complaints against National Bureau of Investigation director Melvin Matibag, former policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and media personalities of GMA Network in connection with reports that he received P100 million in suitcases.

The charges were filed at the Davao City Hall of Justice on Friday.

Gracioso, a close-in security aide of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco, had claimed that he delivered suitcases containing millions to billions of pesos in cash to Pulong and other members of the Duterte family, including Vice President Sara Duterte.

GMA aired an exclusive report on Graciosos’s claim on its “24 Oras” news program on 25 September, which also said the NBI was already investigating the allegations.

Duterte told reporters, “We filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against Matibag, Gracioso, and several personalities from GMA News’ 24 Oras over their statements, which are untrue and clearly intended to tarnish my name and that of my family.”

The DAILY TRIBUNE tried to get a copy of the complaint from his counsel, Peter Paul Danao, but was told it could not yet be released to the public.

Danao said one issue they raised was a statement by Matibag who claimed Gracioso’s allegations were “99 percent true,” while the investigation was ongoing.

The lawyer also questioned GMA’s airing of the report without getting the side of his client, saying the network should have been more careful when publishing “unverified claims.”

The NBI invited Duterte in a letter on 5 October to attend a conference to answer the allegations Gracioso raised against him.

GMA, for its part, said it would respond to the complaint once it received a copy from the Davao City Hall of Justice.

“GMA Network has yet to receive a copy of the complaint. We will review the matter and comment accordingly upon receipt,” it stated.

The complaint explicitly named news persons Mel Tiangco, Vicki Morales, Emil Sumangil, and Darlene Cay and several of the network’s top executives.

Matibag welcomes rap

Matibag welcomed the case filed against him. “It’s good that he is going to the fold of justice,” Matibag told reporters at the NBI.

Once he gets a copy of Duterte’s complaint-affidavit, the NBI chief said, “We will answer the allegations if that is what the prosecutors ask.”