Pimentel mulls libel lawsuit vs Zubiri

MANAOAG, PANGASINAN -- Reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and his lawyers are studying the option of filing a libel suit against senatorial bet Juan Miguel Zubiri for accusing the senator of wife battery.

Pimentel's estranged wife, former beauty queen Jewel May Lobaton-Pimentel, on Friday issued a statement denying Zubiri's allegation that the senator from Mindanao was physically hurting his wife of 12 years.

"For the best interest of my children, please keep my marital issues out of the campaign issues for a Senate seat this 2013 elections. My marital issues are not national issues. And my children have been greatly affected. Please spare my two sons, as they are mere children aged 8 and 3 years old respectively," Jewel said.

Pimentel, a topnotch lawyer, said Zubiri committed a "double technical foul" after Jewel denied his "baseless accusation."

"When I go back to Manila, I will discuss with my lawyers the draft complaint. That was my initial reaction eh (to file a libel complaint) so when that happened, I already instructed them to study it," Pimentel said.

Pimentel admitted he was worried about how his children would react to Zubiri's allegations, which was made on television, since the interview can be easily accessed through the internet.
 
He said he talked to his wife through text messages and phone calls and instructed him to protect their children.
 
Pimentel also said that he never resorted to below-the-belt attacks against Zubiri.
 
"I have not attacked him. All of a sudden he attacks me for mentioning daw his name. I have never mentioned his name on stage. Maybe this is usually part of their game plan. I believe that as a political analyst, this plan has backfired on him. Let the people decide," he said.

Pimentel and Zubiri have had a squabble since the senator filed an election protest against Zubiri back in 2007 over alleged cheating in areas in Mindanao. Pimentel was declared winning senator in the 2007 elections, days after Zubiri resigned his post in 2011. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)