Napoles to file libel raps vs Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler

Janet Lim Napoles INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, legal counsel of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, said Tuesday their camp is set to file libel charges against two news organizations over stories maligning the embattled businesswoman.

In a phone interview, Kapunan said the charges would be filed against Philippine Daily Inquirer and its reporters Gil Cabacungan and Ronnel Domingo, as well as Rappler’s Natashya Gutierrez.

“Mag fa-file sila based on hearsay tapos sasabihin nila na ‘cannot be contacted’ hindi naman totoo yun. That is libel (they filed hearsay stories and would say the offended party cannot be contacted that is not true. That is libel),” Kapunan said.

Kapunan said using the word “alleged” in stories is “not a license to commit falsehood.”

Kapunan also said a disbarment case will also be filed against a certain lawyer for soiling Napoles’ name.

An estafa case, on the other hand, will be filed against Eddie Baddeo.