Garcia sues 2 netizens for corruption, extortion accusations

Local

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has filed at least 10 counts of cyberlibel against two Facebook users who accused her and her family of corruption, extortion, and abuse of power in a series of viral posts that circulated widely online.

In a press conference at the Capitol on Monday, April 21, Garcia’s private legal team submitted the complaints to the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7).

The legal team identified the respondents as Michael Deen Cano, who goes by the username “Deen Chase,” and Efren Omayan, who uses the alias “Dong Efren” on Facebook.

Garcia’s lead counsel Atty. Alex Avisado confirmed the filing of the cyberlibel complaints. Avisado is a senior partner at the Makati-based Gana, Atienza, Avisado Law Firm.

He appeared before the media alongside fellow lawyers Atty. Rose Ann Rosales Vasquez and Atty. Desiree Perles, as well as Capitol legal consultant Atty. Jong Sepulveda.

The complaints stemmed from a Facebook post made by Cano, which accused Garcia of numerous crimes, including corruption, extortion, abuse, and conflict of interest.

Omayan allegedly shared the same content on his own Facebook account, further amplifying the allegations.

According to Avisado, the governor’s camp considers the posts to be personal attacks that contain false and malicious information.

He emphasized that such content crosses the line of free expression and enters the territory of criminal liability under the cybercrime law.

“Itong mga attacks na ito against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia are personal attacks,” Avisado said during the press conference.

“Yes, you are free to criticize. But you are not free to spread false and reckless accusations against the Governor," he added.

Cano’s post, which went viral shortly before the complaints were filed, claimed that Garcia and her relatives amassed unexplained wealth and purchased a $10 million yacht.

It also alleged that the governor and her family had attempted to take over cement factories, piggeries, and mining sites in Cebu.

Avisado insisted that all of these allegations are false. He said that such actions no longer fall under protected speech, even if the subject is a public official like the governor.

“Itong mga ganitong posts are no longer covered by freedom of expression. Kahit na public official si Gov. Gwen Garcia, because all these posts are personal, hindi lang personal, all these posts are false, malicious. Puro ito mali, puro ito kasinungalingan,” Avisado added.

Sepulveda said the governor has become the target of a coordinated smear campaign, which he believes is motivated by politics.

He pointed out that the attacks coincided with the upcoming elections, and survey results showing the governor leading may have intensified these efforts.

Vasquez explained that the legal team decided to file the complaints with NBI 7 because its cybercrime division is equipped to verify the digital footprints of the accused.

She said investigators can trace the origin of the posts, identify the gadgets used, and even determine whether dummy accounts were created to spread the content.

“Even now, we already have secured the evidence and have sufficient information against the accused,” Vasquez said.

Garcia’s legal team also issued a warning to the public about sharing unverified posts on social media.

They reminded netizens that spreading false content can make them equally liable under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“Ang appeal namin sa lahat nga mga tao sa Cebu, lahat ng mga active sa social media, be very discerning. Mag-fact check kayo. Wag kayong mag-share ng mga public posts na hindi naman ninyo na-validate, hindi ninyo na-verify, because by sharing, you are equally liable for violation ng cybercrime law,” Avisado said.

Shortly after the governor’s team announced the complaints, Cano posted a reaction on Facebook. He said, “Gwendolyn Garcia, hello lola... You don't scare me....”

He continued by accusing the governor of using legal action to silence critics.

“This is the kind of evil that Cebu is facing right now. Just because we are raising questions and demanding transparency from her governance. She immediately does what she does best. Filing a case.. haha,” Cano wrote.

In his video, he also said that once Garcia loses the reelection, he will urge the new leader to expose her doings at the Capitol.

However, in a portion of the video, he mistakenly refers to Garcia as the leader of Cebu City.

The mayor of Cebu City is the governor’s nephew, Raymond Alvin Garcia.

He also emphasized that the legal action will not hurt him as he is protected by the government of United States of America as he is currently living in California.(MyTVCebu)