DOJ junks cyber libel raps vs. Gabriela, Makayaban reps

The Department of Justice has dismissed for lack of merit the cyber libel charges against a former Bayan Muna party-list representative and three leaders of the Gabriela Women’s Party over alleged defamatory and libelous statements against the police in 2021.

In a two-page resolution, prosecutors dismissed two counts of libel filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against former Bayan Muna Representative Carlo Zarate, Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, spokesperson Luzviminda Calolot-Ilagan, and leader Liza Maza.

The CIDG filed the complaint in November 2021 after Zarate, Brosas, Ilagan, and Maza allegedly accused the Philippine National Police of red-tagging and planting evidence.

For his part, Zarate welcomed the dismissal of the “utterly baseless” complaint, calling it “another harassment suit” against him and the others.

“Like the other harassment suits filed against us by state agents, this latest case was also dismissed because it is destitute of any merit. Clearly, it is a fatuous act only aimed to harass members of the progressive groups," Zarate said in a statement.

He urged the police to go after syndicates and cartels, corrupt government officials and employees, and drug lords and other criminal syndicates.

"Sinasayang nila ang oras at pera ng mamamayan sa ginagawa nilang pagsasasampa ng mga trumped-up and frivolous cases laban sa mga opposition at kritiko ng pamahalaan," he said.

(They are wasting the time and money of the public in filing trumped-up and frivolous cases against the opposition and critics of the government.)

Gabriela, likewise, welcomed the decision, saying it is "further proof that the accusations filed by the PNP are baseless and a mere attempt to malign and harass women leaders who have been very vocal against the worsening human rights situation in the country."

"This latest development also underscores the failed attempt to weaponize cyber libel against government critics," it said in a separate statement on Wednesday.

"Cyber libel and libel should be decriminalized, as it has become a handy tool of those in power to stifle and harass dissenters and truth-tellers."

GMA News Online has sought comment from the PNP, which has yet to respond as of posting time. —KBK, GMA News