Frasco sues writer

CEBU, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco filed a criminal complaint for cyber libel against journalist Rigoberto Tiglao on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, before the National Bureau of Investigation-7 (NBI-7).

“I am filing this criminal complaint for four (4) counts of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code against Respondent Rigoberto D. Tiglao for his libelous articles posted on his website RigobertoTiglao.com and social media accounts,” Frasco stated in his 17-page complaint.

The case stems from Tiglao’s article in The Manila Times, where he alleged that Frasco was “bribed” to sign the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The same article, titled “Cebu Representative and Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco reveals why 239 congressmen agreed to be bribed to impeach VP Sara Duterte,” was posted on Tiglao’s website RigobertoTiglao.com, garnering 4,084 views. It was also shared on Tiglao’s Facebook page with 67,000 followers and on his X (formerly Twitter) account with 40,700 followers.

“Such accusation is not only false but also tarnished my reputation as Deputy Speaker in Congress,” Frasco said following the filing of the complaint.

Frasco said Tiglao curated the article and online posts to target him in a public witch hunt.

“He intentionally misled the public into believing that I voted in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment solely because I received money. These are blatant attacks on my honor which besmirched both my character and reputation as a public servant,” Frasco stated in his affidavit.

The congressman emphasized that his vote on the impeachment complaint was based on principles and his commitment to his constituents.

“I can categorically say that my vote was based on my principles and my own determination on what is best for my constituents in my district. My vote and my principles are not for sale,” he said.

Frasco narrated that on February 6, 2025, he and 239 Members of the House of Representatives signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and supported the resolution to forward the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.

During a service caravan in Liloan, Cebu, on February 11, 2025, Frasco delivered a speech explaining that the impeachment proceedings provided the proper platform for the vice president to address the accusations against her.

During his speech, he also shared his reasons for signing the impeachment complaint, including ensuring continuous funding for the fifth district, particularly for his projects, as well as other reasons like the VP not supporting his wife, Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco, amid backlash on a tourism campaign.

On February 14, 2025, Frasco’s staff informed him about Tiglao’s article, which falsely attributed a statement to him: “Yes, I was bribed to vote against the vice president, but I did it for you, dear constituents.”

“This article maliciously claimed that I, along with most of the 239 signatories, was bribed to vote in favor of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Frasco stated.

Frasco added that Tiglao published the article and shared it online without seeking his comment or verifying his statements, which were originally delivered in Bisaya.

“With obviously no good intention, Respondent Tiglao publicly maligned me without citing a shred of proof for such destructive imputations,” Frasco said.

Call for accountability

Frasco emphasized that his legal action is not just about defending his personal honor but about standing for truth and accountability in media practices.

“I will not tolerate these reckless and irresponsible acts masquerading as editorial and opinion journalism,” Frasco said.

The Manila Times had issued an apology on February 19, 2025, acknowledging the misleading nature of Tiglao’s assertions. The newspaper admitted that the unverified article caused significant harm to Frasco’s reputation and expressed regret for the error.

“My record speaks for itself—a commitment to integrity, transparency, and my district’s welfare,” said Frasco.

Frasco’s political career began as the youngest municipal mayor of Liloan, Cebu, from 2007 to 2016, followed by roles as vice mayor and commissioner of the Cebu Ports Authority. Since 2019, he has served as representative of Cebu's 5th district.

Tiglao, a former press secretary during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has not responded to The Freeman’s request for comment as of press time.  — (FREEMAN)