QC Vice Mayor Belmonte files libel rap vs. former PCSO director, tabloid publishers

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte filed on Monday a libel case against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Director Manuel “Manoling” Morato and nine publishers of a tabloid newspaper for allegedly spreading a "factually incorrect and malicious" article.

"I have decided to file a libel case against Saksi: Mga Balitang Totoo Ngayon and also against Mr. Manuel "Manoling" Morato - who serves as the source for the story - for the publication of the article," Belmonte said in a statement.

"I am confident that I will be cleared of these false accusations, so I have filed the case to do justice to the truth and, more importantly, show that there is no space for 'fake news' and disinformation in Quezon City," she added.

The article "Joy Belmonte: Swak sa Graft" was published on February 15, 2019 and quoted Morato as saying that the incumbent vice mayor gave a special permit for the construction of a 21-storey building that would be favorable for her siblings, an accusation that was refuted by Belmonte.

“First of all, I cannot unilaterally pass a resolution as Vice Mayor of Quezon City. It is a collegial act – an act which requires the participation of the whole City Council – to which I am only a presiding officer. My role as presiding officer is merely to administer the sessions," Belmonte said, noting that the permits for the structure have also been applied for by Sta. Lucia Realty which is a joint venture with Jose Morato, the brother of Manuel Morato.

"At the time the questioned resolution was passed, I was not even the presiding officer. It cannot be stressed enough that the resolution does not contain my signature," she added.

Belmonte underscored that the said complaint in the published article had already been dismissed by the Department of Justice and the Office of the City Prosecutor.

Further, she said that the article has been published out of "monetary gain, political clout, or false prestige."

The tabloid that published the article earlier released an official statement in response to a social media post by Belmonte.

"Nakalulungkot pong basahin ang iyong reaksiyon sa lehitimong isyu na inilabas ng aming pahayagan... pero pilit naming inuunawa kung bakit kayo nagkaganyan... normal lang po kasing tugon ‘yan ng lingkod bayan na hindi muna nag-uugnay ang isip at ang mga daliri bago itipa sa facebook ang hinanakit o galit," Saksi Ngayon said in a statement.

It also urged the vice mayor to post the full text of the article and the documents cited in the story.

Belmonte said that the "documentary evidence" that she has will speak for themselves.

Morato is holding a press conference on the matter as of posting time. —LDF, GMA News