LTFRB's Inton sues persons behind FB page over 'link bait' post

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory (LTFRB) board member Ariel Inton filed a libel suit on Monday against the people behind the Facebook page Independencia PH for its viral “link bait” post.

In his sworn affidavit, Inton said he was publicly ridiculed, addressed maliciously and received offensive words for the misleading headline. 

"The misleading and malicious title... publicly and maliciously imputes upon myself an act which causes dishonor, discredit and contempt against my person with strong negative implications on the performance of my public functions as member of the Board of the LTFRB," Inton said.

He added that he received a number of online bashers and called the post as a cheap tactic that tarnished his image as a public official in service for 11 years.

The post allegedly implied that Inton is a turncoat or "kapit tuko" in his office, a label despised by Filipinos.

"I did not utter such words towards any person. The caption and the headline when taken together gives third-persons the idea that I am a turn-coat, 'balimbing' or 'kapit-tuko' or one who hungers for public office, all of which are despised by society," he said.

"The effect of such act can be seen in the malicious, false and humiliating statements comments of other Facebook users, who are calling me as a person who is a thief, traitor, power hungry and corrupt," Inton added.

Inton said he filed the libel complaint to prevent other websites from doing the same tactic.

The National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division was also sought to assist in finding the perpetrators and face the charges.—Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News