FILE PHOTOS Senator Manny Pacquiao (right) and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed the cyberlibel complaint that presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao filed against Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
In a resolution obtained by INQUIRER.net, the city prosecutor’s office said Pacquiao failed to establish actual malice in his complaint against Quiboloy.
“Complainant [Pacquiao] failed to prove that respondent [Quiboloy] made those statements with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard of whether they were false or not,” the resolution reads.
In a statement, Quiboloy said his camp received the resolution on January 21.
“I am happy to announce the dismissal of the cyber libel case filed by Senator Manny Pacquiao against me. Indeed, truth and justice have prevailed,” Quiboloy’s Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) reported, quoting its leader.
In September last year, Pacquiao filed a cyber libel complaint against Quiboloy, demanding that the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” pay P100 million in damages for spreading “fabricated” claims about the boxer-turned-politician.
The complaint stemmed from a television appearance and social media post made by Quiboloy where he claimed that the senator had misused funds for the unfinished Sarangani Sports Training Center. Quiboloy reportedly claimed that the project had cost the government some P3.5 billion.
Quiboloy’s camp earlier claimed that the complaint could be part of the legislator’s propaganda in relation to his possible presidential bid at the time.
READ: Quiboloy lawyers smell politics in Pacquiao cyber libel suit
The cyber libel complaint was among Pacquiao’s reasons for not attending the presidential debate that is set to be hosted by SMNI this Tuesday.
READ: Pacquiao, Lacson, Robredo, Moreno to skip Quiboloy’s SMNI debate
In response, Quiboloy said in a statement that Pacquiao should be honest about his reasons for declining the presidential debate invitation.
“If Senator Pacquiao is afraid to join the presidential debate hosted by SMNI, he has all the freedom to decline. I urge the senator to be honest in his reasons for declining and not resort to personal attacks not befitting a presidential aspirant,” the religious leader said.
“May I remind him of his very words last November 19, 2021, saying that any accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. He should not use the name of the Lord in vain for his earthly agenda,” he added.
