The GMA-7 chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday condemned the multi-million-peso libel and cyberlibel complaint filed by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte against the network.
On Friday, the lawmaker filed the case against the network’s executives, news anchors, field reporters, and news producers, along with NBI Director Melvin Matibag and former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., particularly over a report on the public disclosure and sworn allegations made by a former security aide regarding alleged cash-filled suitcase deliveries involving prominent political figures.
In a statement, the chapter said that the legal action followed Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent public threats to file a multi-million-peso lawsuit against the network.
“We stand firmly behind our news team and the field reporter involved. Contrary to allegations of malice or unverified reporting, the report went through standard, multi-layered editorial and legal verification procedures. The team conducted due diligence—verifying information through official sources, law enforcement documents, and background checks—and obtained proper clearance from network leadership and legal counsel before airing the story,” the NUJP said.
“It is deeply concerning that following the broadcast, our field reporter has faced severe online harassment and intimidation. Both the reporter and their family members have received threatening messages, malicious insults, and targets of fake, AI-manipulated content online aimed at smearing the reporter’s professional integrity. We clarify in the strongest terms that the reporter had no prior connection or personal relationship with the source before conducting the official interview coordinated with law enforcement authorities,” it added.
The union said that journalism is not a crime and that reporting on official affidavits and legal filings involving public officials is an “essential part of press freedom and public accountability.”
“Utilizing weaponized legal actions against journalists serves only to create a dangerous chilling effect intended to intimidate the press,” the NUJP said.
“For decades, the NUJP has consistently advocated for the decriminalization of libel in the Philippines. Criminal libel laws have historically been weaponized as a tool of intimidation by powerful individuals to silence critical reporting, shield public figures from scrutiny, and penalize journalists with criminal records and potential imprisonment for doing their jobs. In a vibrant democracy, civil remedies exist for grievances; criminalizing speech only undermines the public's fundamental right to know,” it added.
