Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s camp has filed libel and cyberlibel charges against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag, former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and a prominent news outlet.
The charges stemmed from a newscast aired on September 25, 2026, which played a pre-recorded video of Gracioso alleging that Rep. Duterte had received suitcases of cash. Matibag corroborated the allegation, claiming it was “99 percent” true.
“Wala pong katotohanan ang mga iyan at dahil sa mga paratang na ‘yan, ay masyado namang below the belt ‘yun, na pati ‘yung mga anak at pamilya ni Congressman Paolo, ay naapektuhan diyan,” Atty. Peter Paul Danao, legal counsel for Rep. Duterte said during an exclusive interview on Rapido Hataw Balita.
“Noong nagsalita po si Congressman Paolo, finile niya ‘to kasi gusto na niyang proteksyunan ang kanyang pamilya, lalong-lalo na ang mga anak niya, tsaka ‘yung kanyang asawa,” he added later.
If the Office of the City Prosecutor in Davao City, before which the charges were filed, finds sufficient basis for Duterte’s case, it will issue a subpoena against the respondents, prompting them to submit a counter-affidavit.
Danao claimed that the concerned news outlet failed to reach out to obtain the Duterte camp’s account on the issue.
“Wala manlang tumawag, na kunin ang panig ni Congressman Paolo,” he said, adding that when the interview aired, the news outlet said it was still asking for Duterte’s comment on the allegation.
Duterte’s legal counsel stressed that, as the interview was pre-recorded, the outlet would have known about the allegation put forth by the interviewees, and should have done their due diligence and obtained a statement from Rep. Duterte or members of his camp.
“Ibig sabihin, na-record na ‘yung video, at hindi pa sila umaksyon para kumuha ng aming comment o side… ‘Yan ‘yung isa sa mga aspetong bakit sa tingin namin, seryoso ‘yung agarang paglabas ng mga paratang ni Gracioso,” Danao said.
Duterte’s camp has demanded ₱10 million in moral damages and another ₱10 million in exemplary damages.
Danao emphasized that press freedom has its limits, as journalists must always verify information before reporting on it.
“Ang freedom of the press, hindi naman po absolute ‘yan. Ang mga nasa GMA News 24 Oras, batikanong mga journalist ang mga ‘yan. So alam nila na bago sila magpalabas ng mga ganyang balita ay dapat vine-verify muna nila. Sila mismo magsusuri kung una, ‘yung tao ba, mapagkakatiwalaan? Pangalawa, tama ba ‘yung mga sinasabi niyan? Mayroon bang independent na magkukumpirma sa mga sinasabi niya?” he questioned.
“Kasi hindi po pupuwedeng ipagsantabi ang obligasyon ng isang news reporter na i-verify ang mga alegasyon bago i-publish,” he added. “Ang nangyari dito, publish first, verify later.”
Danao stressed that publishing unverified news may result in damage to the concerned individual’s reputation.
“Maski i-correct nila later on, e tapos na, nasabi mo na,” he said, agreeing that “the damage has been done.”
The lawyer said he will consult with his client, Rep. Duterte, if he would reconsider pursuing the charges if a public apology is issued.
Watch the whole interview below
