Pulong Duterte's libel raps vs. GMA, others meant to silence journalists -De Lima

The cyber libel and libel cases filed by Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte against GMA Network Inc. and its journalists, among others, are meant to strike fear among journalists and truth-seekers, House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima of ML party-list said.

De Lima was referring to the libel and cyberlibel complaint that Duterte filed before the Davao City Prosecutors Office over the broadcast of the allegations of dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. of cash delivery to the Dutertes.

“This is clearly an attempt to silence journalists and truth-seekers, depriving them of their freedom of the press. Filing a libel case against a media network and its journalists for doing their job of reporting allegations of corruption sends a chilling message to other media practitioners,” de Lima said in a statement.

“Pwede namang sumagot sa mga akusasyon lalo pa’t hinihingi ng media ang kanilang panig. Bahagi ‘yan ng pananagutan sa taumbayan,” de Lima added.

(They can just choose to answer the allegations given that their comments are being sought by the journalists to begin with. That is part of public accountability.)

“Napaghahalata na allergic sa mga nag-uulat at naghahangad na malaman kung ano ang totoo, at idinadaan sa galawang pagbabanta at pananakot,” de Lima added.

(They are allergic to reports and those who seek facts and instead resort to threats.) —LDF, GMA News