DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has filed criminal libel and cyberlibel complaints seeking ₱20 million in damages against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., and several executives and journalists of GMA Network over a televised report involving allegations of cash deliveries to members of the Duterte family.
Duterte filed the complaints on Friday, October 23, before the Office of the City Prosecutor at the Davao City Hall of Justice. His lawyer, Peter Paul Danao, said the claim seeks ₱10 million in moral damages and another ₱10 million in exemplary damages.
The legal action follows a September 25 broadcast of GMA News’ flagship newscast, 24 Oras, which featured Gracioso’s allegations that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family on the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
Duterte has categorically denied receiving the money, describing the allegations as false and damaging to his reputation and family. He said he pursued the complaint to protect his loved ones.
Why Duterte Is Taking Legal Action
The complaint names Matibag, Gracioso, GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon, president and chief executive Gilberto Duavit Jr., and several 24 Oras personalities, including Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales, Emil Sumangil, Darlene Cay, Marvin Parado and Joel San Luis, according to Philstar.com. The complaint also reportedly includes unidentified individuals.
Danao questioned the decision to air the recorded interview, arguing that the network should have obtained Duterte’s side and verified the allegations before broadcasting them. He maintained that journalists have a responsibility to check the credibility of sources and substantiate claims before publication.
The dispute now places the standards of investigative reporting, the right to respond to allegations, and the protection of individual reputations at the center of a developing legal case.
What the Former Police Officer Allegedly Claimed
Gracioso, a former security aide associated with Velasco, alleged that he delivered money to Vice President Sara Duterte, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and Representative Paolo Duterte.
Reports by Philstar.com said Gracioso claimed deliveries exceeding ₱2 billion to the vice president, ₱1 billion to the former president, and ₱100 million to Paolo Duterte.
These figures are allegations attributed to Gracioso, not established findings of wrongdoing. The Duterte family members implicated have denied the accusations, while Velasco’s camp has also rejected claims against the former House speaker.
The NBI began looking into Gracioso’s account. Matibag previously described the allegations as “99 percent” truthful based on polygraph tests conducted by the bureau. However, the investigation remained open as of the reports published on October 23 and 24.
Matibag has maintained that the NBI did not issue a final determination but provided updates on the ongoing inquiry. He also said the bureau had invited Duterte to appear, while the lawmaker’s lawyer responded to the invitation.
NBI Chief Welcomes the Legal Challenge
Matibag said Duterte had the right to bring his grievance before the justice system and that the authorities would determine where the case leads.
He said the NBI would review the complaint once it received a copy and respond through the appropriate legal process. At the time of Philstar.com’s report, the bureau had not yet received the document.
GMA Network likewise said it had not received a copy of the complaint and would review the matter before commenting further.
The responses indicate that the dispute is still at an early stage. Filing a criminal complaint does not automatically mean that charges will be pursued in court or that the respondents are guilty.
Press Freedom Debate Adds Another Layer
The case has also reignited debate over the balance between press freedom and accountability in Philippine journalism.
In a separate report, GMA News Online covered remarks by former senator Leila de Lima, who criticized the legal action as an attempt to intimidate journalists and discourage reporting on allegations of corruption. Duterte countered that press freedom comes with a responsibility to report accurately and respect the rights of people mentioned in news coverage.
The broader debate is significant because libel and cyberlibel complaints can expose journalists and media organizations to criminal proceedings, while people who believe they have been defamed may seek legal remedies.
Under Philippine law, libel is addressed by the Revised Penal Code, while cyberlibel involving computer systems is covered by Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The precise legal issues and any potential liability in this case will depend on the complaint, the evidence, and the proceedings before the appropriate authorities.
What Happens Next?
The next developments will likely depend on the prosecutor’s assessment of the complaints, the respondents’ answers, and the evidence presented by both sides.
The NBI investigation into Gracioso’s allegations is a separate but related matter. Its findings, if and when formally issued, may help clarify what evidence supports or contradicts the disputed account.
For now, the case remains a legal confrontation over allegations that have not been conclusively established. It also raises a consequential question for the Philippine public: how can journalists investigate claims involving powerful political figures while ensuring that reporting is accurate, fair, and accountable?
The bottom line: Paolo Duterte is seeking ₱20 million in damages over a report he says contained false allegations. The NBI and GMA Network have indicated that they will address the complaint through the proper process, while the underlying cash-delivery claims remain disputed.
