Journalist Philip Lustre to seek transfer of cyber libel case out of Davao City

Veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. will ask a court to move the cyber libel case against him out of Davao City, his legal team said on Wednesday, according to GMA News.

Lustre was arrested by police in Quezon City on Saturday under a cyber libel arrest warrant issued by a Davao City court. He has since been temporarily released after posting bail. His lawyer, Dino De Leon, said the complainant is lawyer Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Speaking at a press briefing, De Leon said the defence is preparing several pre-arraignment remedies, including a motion for reinvestigation, a motion to quash and a request to change the venue. "We do not feel safe in Davao City," De Leon said, citing what he described as the Duterte family's known tendency toward violence.

De Leon also said the camp has written to Davao City Prosecutor Jhopee Avanceña asking her to formally confirm whether she is related to Honeylet Avanceña, the partner of former president Rodrigo Duterte. National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag earlier said the two are cousins. De Leon said the defence was surprised that the prosecutor signed off on the case if the relationship is confirmed.

The lawyers are further asking the prosecutor's office to show proof that subpoenas and summons were served on Lustre, and to detail the efforts made to find his correct address. Lustre's camp had earlier said it was examining an apparent violation of his right to due process during the preliminary investigation, as he did not receive any subpoena or notice.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon has also said Lustre was denied due process because he was not given a chance to answer the complaint before the warrant was issued, GMA News reported.