3 weeks ago
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ILOILO CITY — Mayor Jerry Treñas of this city has filed a new cyber libel complaint against the Iloilo Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office head, adding to previous legal actions against the provincial official.
Treñas disclosed in a press conference on Monday that he lodged eight new counts of cyber libel complaint against Jose Nereo Lujan after the Dinagyang Festival in late January this year.
The latest complaint follows an October 2024 resolution in which a local prosecutor indicted Lujan on three counts of cyber libel based on an earlier complaint by the city mayor.
The prosecutor has found prima facie evidence to support the filing of three separate cyber libel charges against Lujan for posting libelous, malicious and defamatory content against Treñas on Facebook.
A subsequent resolution in January 2025 denied Lujan's motion for reconsideration, dismissing it as a mere reiteration of his previous defense.
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Treñas said that freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every individual but stressed that it should still be used responsibly.
"I have been [a politician for] 39 years, and I have never accused a member of the media. But if you are not a member of the media, and you make fun of me, oppress me and ridicule me, I will not allow it," he said.
Aside from the cyber libel case, the mayor said that he also filed an administrative complaint against Lujan with the Civil Service Commission, arguing that as a public official, Lujan should uphold responsibility and integrity in his duties.
"What is he doing attacking me during office hours? We all have work. He is a PIO (public information officer) of the province and what he is only doing is attacking and attacking me," the mayor said.
"As a public servant, it's not his responsibility to ridicule or put to shame the mayor of Iloilo."
Treñas maintained that in 39 years in public office, he has never publicly "ridiculed" and "put to shame" any person.
Meanwhile, Lujan claimed he had yet to receive official notice regarding the city mayor's new complaint.
He maintained that to criticize an elected official or wrongdoing is a fundamental right and vowed to exhaust all legal remedies to defend himself.
Lujan also dismissed allegations that he used government time for his social media posts, citing Facebook's scheduled post feature and the multiple awards his office received.
Lujan asserted that he was merely fulfilling his duty as a government employee by speaking out against alleged wrongdoing, referencing the oath of service, which included the pledge to "speak out against corruption and abuse."
"I have faced numerous complaints and cases before, and I respect anyone's right to bring their grievances to court. As long as justice remains blind and impartial, I have nothing to fear," he said.
