Brosas to sue pro-Duterte vlogger for alleged harassment

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas said Friday she will be filing charges against a vlogger supporting President Rodrigo Duterte for allegedly harassing her.

In a virtual press conference, Brosas identified the vlogger as Niño Barzaga. She said her camp is still studying what charges to file against the vlogger but it could be for violation of the anti-wiretapping law.

"What he did to me is not a mere practical joke, but emotional and sexual harassment. This is a serious criminal offense and we will file a formal case soon," Brosas said.

She narrated that on June 2, she received a call from an unknown number wherein the caller identified himself as Bishop Ted Bacani. She said the caller asked what are the activities of Gabriela in the coming days.

After she responded, Brosas said the caller shouted at her, cursed her, and hurled vulgar words at her.

"Sinabi ko na magkakaroon ng Independence Day at Pride month-related bike activity ang aming partylist. Laking gulat ko nang bigla na lang akong minura ng caller, pinagsisigawan, at sinabihan ng mga malalaswang bagay. Agad kong binaba ang telepono," the lawmaker said.

(I told him that there will be an Independence Day and Pride month-related bike activity. I was surprised when he suddenly hurled invectives at me, shouted, and said obscene things. I immediately put down the phone.)

After the phone call, she said she received a lot of hate calls and texts coming from Duterte's supporters.

"Nakatanggap ako ng napakaraming hate texts at calls sa aking personal number mula sa mga Duterte supporters na galit na galit sa pagiging kritikal ko sa running in tandem na sina Sara Duterte at President Rodrigo Duterte," Brosas said.

(I received so many hate texts and calls on my personal number from the supporters of Duterte who were very angry with my critical stance on the tandem of Sara Duterte and President Rodrigo Duterte.)

Brosas said Barzaga apparently recorded their conversation and uploaded it on his social media account.

"Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang lantarang pambabastos ng DDS vlogger na ito sa akin at sa iba pang mga public officials na nagsusulong ng karapatan ng mamamayan. Malakas ang loob ng mga DDS vloggers na ito dahil kasangga nila ang Presidenteng wala ring respeto sa kababaihan," she added.

(The rude attitude of this DDS vlogger to me and other public officials who advance the rights of the people is unacceptable. These DDS vloggers do this because they know the President will side with them.)

As a representative of women, Brosas vowed not to let this happen to others.

GMA News Online sought Barzaga for his comment but he is yet to respond as of posting time.—AOL, GMA News