NBI files charges against Lambino, Cardema for `spreading false info’
Atty. Raul Lambino. Inquirer/Raffy Lerma
MANILA, Philippines–The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday filed complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against PDP-Laban senatorial bet Raul Lambino for allegedly spreading false information.
Lambino was accused of spreading information that the Supreme Court issued a restraining order on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and subsequent surrender to the International Court (ICC) last month.
Also included in the complaint is former National Youth Commission commissioner Ronald Cardema.
“We filed cases against Raul Lambino and Mr. Cardema for violation of Article 154 ng Revised Penal Code, this is what we call unlawful use of means of publication or unlawful utterances,” NBI Technical Intelligence Service Agent Allen Rey Delfin told reporters after filing the case.
A case for violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) is punishable by imprisonment ranging from one month and one day to six months, along with a fine between P40,000 and P200,000.
Facebook live
In a Facebook live, Lambino on March 11 claimed that the SC has issued a TRO against Duterte’s arrest.
However, no restraining order was issued.
READ: Raul Lambino asked to explain false info on TRO vs Duterte arrest
Meanwhile, Cardema made similar claims during a media interview.
Sought for comment, Cardema said the complaint is a form of harassment for speaking last March 11 at Villamor Air Base to defend Duterte.
“What happened to the freedom of speech enshrined in the Philippine constitution? Of course when you arrest a former Philippine President, loved and voted by the majority of the Filipino people, of course there will be many speeches in defense of him and against his arrest,” Cardema said in a statement.
He added: “Instead of investigating the so many kidnappings and heinous crimes happening now in the country, the NBI leadership has decided to use government time and resources to investigate me for a speech defending President Rodrigo Duterte on his arrest/detention.”
“Regarding a so-called TRO of the Supreme Court, that info/news did not come from me, I am not a petitioner/privy to that info, I just rely on news updates same as the millions of Filipinos. I was at Villamor Air Base that entire day & night while PRRD was being detained inside,” Cardema said.
Lambino has yet to comment as of posting time.
