NBI chief Matibag seeks to move Pulong Duterte's libel case out of Davao City

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag plans to ask the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take over the libel and cyberlibel complaints filed against him by Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, arguing that the case may not get a fair hearing in Davao City, according to POLITIKO.

In an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel's "Memo With Korina," Matibag said he would file an urgent motion to inhibit and a motion to transfer venue before the DOJ's National Prosecution Service. He wants the proceedings handled directly at the department's main office.

Matibag said his team had learned that the Davao City prosecutor handling the complaint is reportedly a first cousin of Honeylet Avanceña, the longtime partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte. "We found out that the City Prosecutor of Davao City is the first cousin of Miss Honeylet Avanceña," he said.

He acknowledged that Avanceña and the former president are not legally married, but said the relationship still raises the possibility of bias and an unfair proceeding. The prosecutor was not named in the report.

Matibag added that he has not yet formally received a copy of the complaint, but his lawyers are already moving ahead with the petition.

Rep. Duterte's complaints name Matibag, several other individuals, a television network, and its executives and journalists. They followed public allegations by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family on the orders of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. These claims have not been proven.

Matibag said the NBI's investigation into Gracioso's allegations continues, and that more testimonial and corroborating evidence would be released in the coming days. He also said the bureau would file a case involving two counts of obstruction of justice, though the report did not specify against whom.