Prosecutor dismisses Pacquiao libel case vs Quiboloy

The Makati prosecutor’s office has dismissed the P100million cyber libel case filed by presidential bet Sen. Manny Pacquiao against wanted televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, the senator’s camp said yesterday.

Nikki de Vega, lawyer for Pacquiao, confirmed that the prosecutor’s office junked the cyber libel complaint, which stemmed from remarks made by Quiboloy on social media and television that the senator allegedly misused public funds for the unfinished Sarangani Sports Training Center.

Quiboloy also alleged that the project cost the government P3.5 billion.

Pacquiao reiterated that the construction of the sports facility amounted between P300 million to P500 million only.

“While we welcome the decision of the Makati prosecutor’s office, we respectfully disagree. A distinction must be made between mere criticism and the proliferation of fake news. The case was dismissed even without

Quiboloy’s counter-affidavit,” De Vega told reporters.

The camp of Pacquiao has filed a motion asking the Makati prosecutor’s office to reconsider its decision.

De Vega said they are also considering withdrawing the motion to allow the United States government, through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to fast-track Quiboloy’s extradition and arrest in relation to his sex trafficking charges in the US.

Earlier, the FBI released the wanted posters of Quiboloy and two other officials of the religious sect Kingdom of Jesus Christ following their indictment in November 2021.

Quiboloy, a personal friend and spiritual adviser of President Duterte, was indicted for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion as well as sex trafficking of children and cash smuggling.

While he rejected the invitation to join the presidential debate hosted by Quiboloy, Pacquiao said he is willing to attend such events sponsored by non-partisan entities.

“I’m challenging my fellow presidential bets: let’s have a face-to-face debate organized by the Commission on Elections to dispel any claim of bias for or against any candidate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he would resume peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines if he wins as president.

He said the communist insurgency, which has spanned over five decades, could be ended with good governance.

Pacquiao said he believes that communist rebels took up arms because of the government’s failure to address poverty and corruption for decades that has made government officials and politicians “richer and more Filipinos poorer.”