Critic: My comments vs. Ahong not personal

CEBU, Philippines — A day after receiving the news, the tattoo artist whom Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan sued said that he will accept and face the lawsuit, stating that his posts are based on Chan’s performance as a public servant.

Serving as the administrator of the Facebook page “Kamatuoran sa Opon”, Humprey Elvira was charged with five counts of cyber libel last October 31 before the prosecutor’s office.

In the press conference, Chan said that he filed cases against Elvira for violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Chan accused Elvira for allegedly posting “malicious and libelous” content that are personally targeting him.

“Dili pud na maki-angayon nga mag sige lang pang-atake personal,” said Chan.

In his defense, Elvira said his comments were not of a personal nature.

“Wala koy nahinumduman nga namersonal ko niya. Tanan kabahin ra g’yud na sa pagdala niya sa siyudad,” said Elvira.

“First year pa lang niya naka-obserbar nako nga wala mamaayo pagdala unya nahimo nakong kritiko niya,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chan said the first five counts are just the beginning since his legal team is still preparing an additional 15 counts to be filed against Elvira.

Elvira said even if the cases reached 20 or 100 counts he is still willing to face them saying that the law should not be avoided.

“Manubag man g’yud ko ana g’yud kung unsay sala nako…Pero kung tan-aw nako nga dili na siya sayop nako, nganong angkunon man nako,” Elvira admitted.

Chan recalled that five months ago, he arranged a discussion with Elvira to address his concerns. However, after he answered all of Elvira’s questions, he allegedly continued to attack him on social media.

With that, Chan took Elvira’s actions as politically motivated, revealing that the tattoo artist was once a supporter of the administration but shifted his stance after the second term of Chan in 2022. Chan also recollected that Elvira filed a plunder case against him in 2022.

According to Elvira, his stance is consistent with past criticism during the Radaza administration where he voiced discontentment in the government’s performance for 18 years.

“So mao na siya kung unsa akong gibuhat sa mga Radaza before, the same thing sa iyaha,” he said.

Despite speculation about backing up political parties, Elvira insisted that he is an independent critic. However, he takes pride in supporting Team Deretso congressional aspirant Ryan Jay Yuson.

“Nitabang ko ni Ryan Yuson kay nakita nako iyang adbokasiya ngadto sa mga…kaigsunoan nato diri sa Lapu-Lapu nga giuna iyang tinguha,” said Elvira.

“Pero the rest wala ko gisweldoan ni Ryan Yuson. Walay nagpaluyo nako nga politiko, akoa ra g’yud ni,” Elvira further said. — (FREEMAN)