MANILA, Philippines — The libel and cyberlibel complaints filed by Davao City first district Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag have been transferred to the Davao Regional Prosecutor’s Office. Duterte filed the complaints on Oct. 23 before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Matibag filed an urgent motion to disqualify City Prosecutor Jhopee Avanceña from handling the cases after learning that he is a cousin of Honeylet Avanceña, partner of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The City Prosecutor’s Office granted Matibag’s motion and turned over the records of the complaints to the Office of the Regional Prosecutor.
“Our concern is not only for my benefit or that of the accused, but also for the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office and the justice system itself,” Matibag said yesterday.
He said he does not want anyone to question the impartiality of the proceedings or claim that certain people are being favored.
Matibag said the Department of Justice could have appointed a special prosecutor or referred the complaints to other prosecution offices, but the City Prosecutor’ Office had decided to transfer the cases.
The request, Matibag said, was meant to protect not only his interest, but also the credibility of the prosecutor’s office and the justice system.
He said he would have respected the proceedings even if the prosecutor had not inhibited.
Aside from Matibag, named respondents in the complaints were dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. and several executives of GMA television network.
The complaints stemmed from Gracioso’s interview aired over GMA7 wherein the former police officer claimed he delivered suitcases full of money to the Duterte family.