Mayor files libel rap vs businesswoman

MABALACAT, Pampanga, Philippines – Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales has filed a P20-million libel suit against a businesswoman who accused him of masterminding the killing of her daughter last year.

He sued Pyra Lucas, whose daughter Marian was shot dead in Barangay Mabiga here in November. Lucas blamed Morales for the incident, tagging him as the mastermind.

Morales denied any involvement in the crime and even offered a P500,000 reward for the killer’s arrest.

Morales said it was hard for him to file the case, but he needed to do so.

Investigators have yet to complete the probe and establish the  motive.

Lucas is a member of the local anti-corruption group Mabalacat Citizen’s Union.