Medialdea files another libel rap vs. Ramon Tulfo

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday filed another libel complaint against newspaper columnist and special envoy for public diplomacy to China Ramon Tulfo.

In his second known libel complaint against the envoy, Medialdea wants Tulfo prosecuted for four counts of libel for two columns the latter had written for the Manila Times in July, which he said contained "unfounded, baseless and malicious allegations" that "gravely injured" his reputation.

Medialdea also sought P80 million in moral damages and P60 million in exemplary damages from Tulfo and the Manila Times officers and editors.

The Malacañang official said the first column, dated July 20, alleged that he issued a memorandum circular, without President Rodrigo Duterte's knowledge, ordering government agencies and corporations to support a foundation allegedly headed by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that was purportedly involved in overpricing athletes' apparel.

Medialdea said the article "maliciously implied that I am corrupt and involved in a scandal which I absolutely had no participation in."

In the second column, dated July 23, Tulfo "categorically declared that I am using the power of my office to harass journalists," Medialdea said. He denied the allegation. He also said Tulfo "mocked my appearance, size and weight."

"Moreover, contrary to his imputations that I cannot take criticisms, I have in fact learned not to be too onion-skinned and to simply ignore senseless and negative comments, and to prudently exercise the highest level of tolerance against criticisms from the press..." he said.

"However, the statements of respondent Tulfo in the 23 July 2019 article cannot, in any manner, be considered as constitutionally protected speech,"  he added.

Filed at the Manila prosecutor's office, Medialdea's complaint also impleaded five officers and editors of the Manila Times.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Tulfo.

In the first complaint he filed last June, Medialdea had cited a May 28 column by Tulfo in which the columnist said "corrupt" board members of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, including Sandra Cam, were appointed upon recommendation of the executive secretary.

"Now, if Medialdea's wards are corrupt, what does that make of him?" Tulfo had written.

In response to the earlier complaint, Tulfo wrote in the July 23 column, now the subject of the new complaint, that he expects the charges to quickly progress from the prosecutor's office to the courts.

"Shame on you, Bingbong, for using the power of your office to harass journalists who are doing their job of exposing the ills of society and government!" the envoy wrote. — RSJ, GMA News