Lapeña files libel complaint vs. Mangaoang

Former Customs chief and now Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director Isidro Lapeña on Friday filed a libel complaint against former Customs X-ray chief Lourdes Mangaoang before the Taguig City Prosecutor's Office.

According to a report by Mark Makalalad on Dobol B sa News TV, Lapeña filed the complaint around 10:30 a.m. at the Prosecutor's Office inside the Taguig Hall of Justice.

FLASH: TESDA Dir. Isidro Lapeña, naghain ng reklamong libel laban kay dating Customs X-ray Inspection Project Chief Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/GlF9YDsK3G

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) November 23, 2018

Lapeña claimed Mangaoang had destroyed his reputation following the latter's statements over the issue on the multi-billion worth of shabu found inside magnetic lifters at a Cavite warehouse.

Lapeña said Mangaoang's accusations against him have no basis, challenging the latter to face him in court.

Reached for her comment, Mangaoang said she is ready to face the libel complaint that Lapeña filed against her, saying it was only meant to silence her.

"I am prepared to face him in court anytime. These cases which he filed are meant to silence me," Mangaoang told GMA News Online in a text message.

"I am unfazed. Everything that I said is the truth and nothing but the truth," she added.

Mangaoang had accused Lapeña of feigning ignorance on X-ray scans showing that the emptied magnetic lifters seized in Cavite in August contained billions worth of shabu.

Lapeña earlier said Mangaoang was involved in a smear campaign against him. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News