NBI chief Matibag seeks to move Paolo Duterte's libel case out of Davao City
NBI Director Melvin Matibag says he will ask the Justice department to take over the libel and cyberlibel complaints, citing the Davao City prosecutor's reported family link to Honeylet Avanceña.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag plans to ask the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer the libel and cyberlibel complaints filed against him by Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte out of Davao City, according to POLITIKO.
Matibag said on Bilyonaryo News Channel's "Memo With Korina" that he will file an urgent motion to inhibit and a motion to transfer venue before the DOJ's National Prosecution Service. He wants the complaints handled directly at the department's main office.
He argued that the case may not get an impartial hearing in Davao City. Matibag said his side had learned that the 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.
Matibag acknowledged that Avanceña and the former president are not legally married. He said the family connection still raises the possibility of bias. He added that he has not yet formally received a copy of the complaint, but his lawyers are already taking steps ahead of it.
The complaints filed by Rep. Duterte name Matibag, several other individuals, a television network, and its executives and journalists. They stem from public claims by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who alleged that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family on the orders of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. These allegations have not been proven.
Matibag said the NBI's investigation into Gracioso's claims is continuing. He said additional testimonial and corroborating evidence would be released in the coming days. He also said the bureau would file two counts of obstruction of justice on the day of the interview. POLITIKO did not say who the obstruction case would be filed against.
The interview aired on the October 26 episode of the program.
Why it matters for Davao
The motion raises questions about whether the Davao City prosecutor's office will handle a high-profile case involving the city's congressman. The DOJ's decision will determine where the complaint is heard.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by POLITIKO. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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