Broadcaster Mon Tulfo Is Arrested for Libel After Brother Raffy Says He Would De-Criminalize It
Media personality Ramon "Mon" Tulfo was arrested on Wednesday (May 18) by the Manila Police District (MPD) for cyber libel. The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24 had issued an arrest warrant against the columnist for allegedly violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Official details of the arrest are yet to be confirmed as of this writing.
This isn't Tulfo's first bout over libel charges. The veteran broadcaster had also been accused of defamation by former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in 2019 over his involvement in the so-called "pastillas" bribery scheme. He had also received two libel complaints in 2020.
Earlier in the week, Tulfo's brother, presumptive senator Raffy Tulfo claimed that he would prioritize the decriminalization of libel to protect journalists, but with respect to certain civil liberties.
"Ide-decriminalize ko 'yung libel, 'yan kasi masakit sa ulo 'yan. Naging harassment 'yan para sa mga media workers, ginagamit 'yang pang-harass ng mga pulitiko, ng mga taga-gobyerno na ayaw silang napupuna kaya't ginagamit nilang pananakot," he told the media in an interview with TV show The Chiefs on Monday. "'Yun bang demanda sa korte, minsan sa malayong probinsya para ma-harass 'yung media workers.
A veteran media personality in his own right, Raffy Tulfo expressed hope that he will become part of the majority in the Uper House so his bill will get more support despite opposition.
Raffy Tulfo himself has gotten in hot water for allegedly libelous claims. In 1999, Tulfo had written several pieces regarding extortion activities in the Bureau of Customs. He was acquitted by a division of the Supreme Court just last year. According to the High Court, Tulfo had “reported on the alleged illegal activities of Atty. So in the exercise of his public functions.”
He currently places third at the senate polls with roughly 23 million votes.
