Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has filed cyber libel charges against two YouTube channels that he said were spreading false information against him and his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta.
Pangilinan filed on Friday the separate cyber libel complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) Cybercrime office against YouTube channels “Latest Chika” and “Starlet.”
The senator said that on several occasions this May, both channels posted videos claiming a domestic squabble between Pangilinan and Cuneta and a supposed third party in their marriage.
Pangilinan was also accused of physically hurting the singer-actress. Cuneta has denied being abused by the senator and laughed off rumors that she had an affair with a younger man.
The opposition lawmaker noted that he has been singled out by “fake news sites” over the last five years, and now they have resorted to attacking his family.
“This is too much,” he added.
Pangilinan accused the owners, authors, or persons behind the two channels of violating section 4(c)(4) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175) on cyber libel in relation to Art. 355 of the Revised Penal Code on libel.
He said the videos “created in the minds of the viewers that [he] physically hurt or abused [his] wife and caused her physical injuries and that she has filed a criminal case against [him] for physical injuries.”
“The contents of the videos are all false, have no factual basis and are intended to destroy or damage my reputation as a Senator, public servant, and a husband to one of the most beloved celebrities in the Philippines, my wife Sharon,” Pangilinan said.
“More importantly, the libelous videos are meant to destroy the family. The libelous videos are not only intended to damage my relationship with my wife but are also meant to destroy my relationship with our children,” the senator added.
