Former Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga is facing another cyberlibel complaint after the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office formally filed a case against him over a social media post allegedly damaging the reputation of Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano.
According to a report of RH Tina Nolasco, the complaint, filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court, accuses Barzaga of violating Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, which cover the offense of libel.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Valeriano over Barzaga’s social media post allegedly accusing members of the National Unity Party (NUP), of which he was previously a member, of receiving bribes.
The case stemmed from a social media post in which Barzaga allegedly accused members of the NUP, his former political party, of receiving bribes.
In the post, Barzaga claimed that the alleged bribes came from businessman Enrique Razon Jr. in exchange for supporting the speakership bid of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
The City Prosecutor’s Office found merit in Valeriano’s complaint, ruling that the post allegedly contained defamatory statements that harmed the lawmaker’s reputation.
In a resolution signed by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Wilbur Arimbuyutan and approved by City Prosecutor Giovanne Lim, prosecutors said there was prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction based on testimonial, documentary, and other evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation.
The resolution also noted that Barzaga was given the opportunity to submit his counter-affidavit and other evidence as part of due process before the case was filed in court.
The prosecutor’s office recommended bail of ₱10,000 for Barzaga’s temporary liberty while the cyberlibel case is pending before the Manila RTC.
