A LABOR leader is facing a cyber libel complaint over a viral video accusing city officials of making money out of an ordinance requiring all workers to pay for health certificates.
Manila City Health Department chief Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan, husband of Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, lodged the complaint on Aug. 16, citing allegations by National Federation of Labor (NFL) Vice President Elijah “Eli” San Fernando in videos posted on Facebook and TikTok.
In the Aug. 6 video, San Fernando criticized what he called a “weird” ordinance and highlighted the controversy it had sparked in UST.
“Alam niyo ba na may 1,400 na teachers at faculty members na hindi makakapagturo sa UST dahil sa isang weird na ordinansa?” San Fernando said. “Mayroon lang sila hanggang July 31 para makapag-secure ng health permit, otherwise hindi sila bibigyan ng load at hindi sila makakapagturo sa UST,” he said.
San Fernando also accused Pangan and Lacuna of allegedly preventing UST employees from undergoing health tests at UST Hospital, claiming this was done to profit off fees paid to the city government-owned laboratory.
“Open secret, hindi lang sa Manila City kundi sa iba’t-ibang lugar dito sa bansa natin, na pinagkakaperahan ng mga pulitiko itong mga health facilities na nagre-release ng mga permits,” he said.
San Fernando ended the video with a sharp criticism of politicians: “T*****a kasing mga politiko’t sindikatong ‘to, walang pinapatawad. Kalusugan, edukasyon, lahat na pinagkakakitaan.”
As of writing, the video has amassed 1.4 million views and 59,600 likes on TikTok, and almost 9,000 views on Facebook. San Fernando has more than 700,000 followers on TikTok.
Pangan refuted the “malicious allegations” in his complaint, saying that San Fernando’s claims were “false, have no factual basis, [and] aimed [at destroying] my reputation as a person and as a public servant.”
“Due to these malicious imputations, I suffered, and continue to suffer serious anxiety, besmirched reputation, mental anguish, sleepless nights, not to mention the damage they have caused my reputation and honor,” he wrote in his complaint, a copy of which was obtained by the Varsitarian.
Pangan is seeking damages from San Fernando.
San Fernando told the Varsitarian that he received the subpoena on Aug. 27. He was ordered to appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila for a preliminary investigation on Sept. 10.
Cyber libel is penalized under Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Courts may impose fines ranging from P40,000 to P1,500,000 instead of imprisonment on those found guilty.
In another video after receiving the subpoena, San Fernando said he would continue to voice his concerns despite Pangan’s complaint.
“Alam naman natin na ginagamit at wine-weaponize ng mga politiko ‘yang libel at cyber libel para patahimikin ang mga kritiko lalong-lalo na ‘yong ordinaryong mamamayan na magsalita laban sa kanila,” he said in a Sept. 6 video.
“Mag-iingay at mangangalampag pa ako lalo para patunayan at isampal sa mga pagmumukha niyo na hindi habambuhay, takot at tahimik ang ordinaryong mamamayan,” he added.
San Fernando said another hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 17. Ella Mae A. Sison
