Politics · Philippines Bureau
VP's husband identified as complainant in journalist cyberlibel case
The husband of Vice President Sara Duterte has been identified as the private complainant in a cyberlibel case against veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr., who was arrested over the weekend. The 72-year-old reporter's legal team said they will contest the charges and reserve the right to file counter-cases.
LSN Philippines ·
Manases Carpio, spouse of Vice President Sara Duterte, filed the cyberlibel complaint against Lustre, according to the journalist's lawyer. The identification came on Monday as legal proceedings moved forward following Lustre's arrest over the weekend. Cyberlibel cases in the Philippines carry significant legal consequences and have drawn scrutiny from press freedom advocates regarding their impact on journalism.
Lustre's legal counsel stated they would mount a proper defense against the allegations. The team also signaled their intention to explore potential counter-charges against the complainant, a common legal strategy in contested cases of this nature.
The case adds to ongoing tensions surrounding media freedom and libel law in the Philippines, where cyberlibel provisions have become an increasingly common tool in disputes involving public figures and media practitioners. The specifics of the allegations contained in the complaint remain under review by legal authorities.