Trillanes files cyber libel, libel raps vs Roque, SMNI hosts, pro-Duterte vloggers

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday filed libel and cyber libel charges against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, pro-Duterte vloggers and hosts of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) over persistent attacks and "fake news".

The former lawmaker filed the complaints before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office and the National Bureau of Investigation. 

In his complaint-affidavit, Trillanes said that he sued Roque, vlogger Banat By and other respondents after accusing him of giving away the Scarborough Shoal to China in 2012 through different videos posted on social media in March and April 2024. 

"All of the foregoing clearly show that the statements published by Respondent Roque are defamatory, devoid of truth and without foundation in fact whatsoever. His statements directly accuse me of brokering a back-alley deal in the nomenclature of a 'secret agreement' with a foreign government and abdicating a part of our national territory with nefarious motive," Trillanes' complaint against Roque read.

"Respondent maliciously impeached my good faith and most honorable motives as Senator of the Republic, casting aspersion upon my character, integrity, and reputation. The video was published with the malicious purpose of giving the public the impression that I had been disloyal to my country and had betrayed its interests, thereby exposing me to public ridicule, contempt and hatred," it added. 

Trillanes also pointed out that the libel and cyber libel charges fall within the statute of limitations, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling on cyber libel prescription.

"The SC has once and for all ruled in Causing vs People that 'the crime of Cyber Libel prescribes in one year from its discovery by the offended party, the authorities, or their agents xxxx The prescriptive period may be reckoned from the publication of the libelous matter only when it coincides with the date of discovery of the offended party, the authorities, or their agents.'"

RELATED: SC: Prescription period for cyber libel is 1 year, not 12,15 years

Other respondents include vlogger Guillermina Arcillas and SMNI hosts MJ Mondejar, Admar Vilando, Ludevija Ayang and Marlon Rosete.

'Bring it on'

When asked for comment on Trillanes' complaints, Roque said: "Bring it on!"

"He who cannot fight in the free marketplace of ideas resort to the filing of libel cases! By filing these cases, he has proven himself to be an enemy of freedom of expression," Roque said in a Viber message with Philstar.com. 

Banat By, on the other hand, said that he is yet to receive a copy of the complaint filed by Trillanes and called him an "attention seeker".

"I expected this from someone like Trillanes who loves to seek attention, especially since he will be running in the next election. People like Trillanes should not be given attention because he is already irrelevant in society," the vlogger said in a Facebook message with Philstar.com.

Trillanes filed two distinct charges of libel: one under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and another for cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act states that if an offense defined under the RPC is also punishable under this law, the penalty upon conviction will be one degree higher.