Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday filed his third libel complaint against columnist Ramon Tulfo, who was recently appointed as special envoy for public diplomacy to China.
Medialdea sued Tulfo for another four counts of libel for articles that were published by the Manila Times on July 25 and on Aug. 1.
The first column alleged that Medialdea’s office was withholding the release of P272.07-million cash reward of Felicito Mejorado, who purportedly tipped off authorities in a 1997 seizure of smuggled goods in Mariveles, Bataan.
The executive secretary had denied Tulfo’s allegations.
In the Aug. 1 column Tulfo implied that Medialdea is “onion-skinned” and “incompetent” as an executive secretary.
“Clearly, respondent Tulfo’s unfounded, baseless and malicious allegations gravely injured my reputation, diminished the esteem, confidence and respect of the public for me and my office, and incited derogatory opinions about me and the office I hold,” Medialdea said.
Also named respondents in the complaint were five executives and editors from the Manila Times.
Medialdea previously filed a libel comlaint against Tulfo on July 17 and on Aug. 6.