Rep. Paolo Duterte files P20-million libel complaint against GMA officials, NBI chief

Davao City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte filed a libel and cyberlibel complaint on Friday at the Prosecutor's Office in Davao City against officials and news personalities of GMA Network, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag and other individuals, according to Edge Davao.

His legal counsel, lawyer Peter Paul Danao, said the complaint stems from a prerecorded video aired on GMA News' 24 Oras on September 25. In the video, Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. allegedly claimed that Duterte received suitcases containing cash. Danao said Duterte denies knowing Gracioso and denies receiving any such suitcase from him.

The respondents named in the complaint are Matibag, Gracioso, GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon, president and CEO Gilberto Duavit Jr., and news personalities and staff Mel Tiangco, Vicki Morales, Emil Sumangil, Darlene Cay, Marvin Parado and Joel San Luis, along with unnamed John and Jane Does.

Aside from the criminal complaint, Duterte is seeking P10 million in moral damages and P10 million in exemplary damages, for a total of P20 million in civil damages, Danao said.

Speaking to reporters after the filing, Danao said journalists must check allegations before airing them. "Every journalist, broadcaster, and news reporter has the duty and obligation to verify first before publishing," he said. Explaining why anchors and other news personnel were included, he argued that the duty to verify extends to everyone involved in a broadcast, adding that press freedom is not absolute.

Danao said unverified allegations can cause instant damage to a person's reputation, especially online where information spreads quickly. He also questioned the timing of the report, noting that the September 25 broadcast itself said the network was still seeking comments from Duterte and others mentioned by Gracioso.

Asked whether Duterte's camp contacted the respondents before filing, Danao said doing so was not a prerequisite. "I don't think it's a prerequisite for our client to reach out to them," he said.

GMA Network said in a statement that it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint and will review the matter and comment further once it does. Matibag said he is also waiting for a copy before deciding on the NBI's legal response.