NBI chief seeks prosecutor's removal from Duterte libel case

Matibag filed an urgent motion Monday seeking the inhibition of the Davao City prosecutor's office chief from the libel and cyberlibel case initiated by Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte the previous week. In his motion, Matibag argued that the prosecutor's close relationship with the complainant raises questions about impartiality in handling the case. The move comes as tensions escalate between the NBI director and the congressman, with the libel complaint marking a significant development in their dispute. Matibag's legal team contended that the prosecutor's alleged proximity to Duterte creates an appearance of impropriety that could compromise the case's fair adjudication. The request for recusal is among standard legal maneuvers employed when parties question a magistrate's or prosecutor's neutrality in high-profile cases.