YAP FILES CYBER LIBEL CASE OVER MALICIOUS FB POSTS, SEEKS NBI FOR HELP FOR OTHER ANONYMOUS PAGES
An individual based in abroad was sued by Cong. Eric Go Yap for continuously maligning the lawmaker on social media. Yap, in his complaint – affidavit, said he is filing a Cyber Libel complaint against the individual for maligning and defaming the solon in her several social media post, particularly Facebook. “It is no longer an exercise of freedom of expression, that person has been making defamatory remarks and malicious statements. Enough is enough. Hindi naman po natin pinapansin pero I came across it at nagulat talaga ako. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, wow sobra naman ito,” said the solon.
Since he assumed as a caretaker in 2020 and eventually becoming a full time representative of Benguet in 2022, Yap has been on the receiving end of several accusations including derogatory remarks in several social media platforms but has ignored all the allegations and invectives hurled against him. Yap, in his complaint, stressed that the continuous online attacks have not only tarnished his reputation but also misled the public with false accusations. “Mahaba ang pasensya ko sa ganyan, tanggap ko na ang style nila is negative campaigning. Pero there should still be a line that we do not cross, yung nakakasira na ng pagkatao at kung ano – ano na lang ang binabato. Masakit na for my family, my friends. Masyadong marumi na. Is this the type of politics na gusto natin mangyari sa Benguet?” added Yap.
Yap emphasized that while he respects freedom of speech, the spread of baseless and damaging allegations must be addressed through legal means. The solon also sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify other social media pages that have been spreading similar malicious statements. The NBI is currently investigating and tracing the administrators behind certain Facebook pages that have allegedly engaging in Cyber Libel in an effort to discredit Yap. “This will not be the last, our lawyers are now consolidating a list at nagpatulong na tayo sa NBI Cyber Crime office to identify yung mga nasa likod ng anonymous Facebook pages and troll accounts to hold them accountable sa actions and statements nila. And may lead na daw sila kung sino mga ito, definitely they are paid so kasama sa titignan yan, yung mga nag-fifinance because this is an organized attack on me,” Yap said.
