Bobby Nalzaro: #libelpamore

TWO months after the court dismissed the libel case filed by the “former political has-been” against me four years ago, another libel case was filed against me over the weekend. This time, courtesy of the “former political hasbeen’s’” son, Miguel. This is my 27th libel case in my 38 years in the media profession. But all were dismissed.

Miguel filed two libel cases against me. One is for violation of cyber libel based on Republic Act 10175, or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012, considering that my article was published online. The other one is in violation of Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code.

The cases stemmed from my column last Sept. 4, entitled “Projecting a pro-poor image.” In thatcolumn, I wrote that the “former political has-been” intervened in the arrest of three butane canister refilling workers because they were employees of his businessman-ally, who also happens to be his son’s business partner. He went to Parian Police Station where the suspects were detained and ordered the police to release them. He was administratively and criminally charged by the police for grave misconduct, abuse of authority and obstruction of justice before the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman.

Miguel claimed that the column maligned him as a private person. He said “it is really unfair for a private citizen like me to be maligned with no basis whatsoever by a media personality like Nalzaro.” Well, that’s Miguel’s right to file cases against me if he feels aggrieved. But I don’t have any intention to malign him. I just expressed the information I got from a very reliable source, who was formerly into the business.

No thief will admit that he is a thief. This kind of business is illegal. That is why authorities, especially the Department of Energy (DOE), are running after those producers, especially those who use liquefied petroleum gas.

Questions: If the “formal political has-been” or his family members are not into the business, why did he allow this kind of business to operate considering that it is illegal? Why is he allowing the use of his political aggrupation’s name BOPK as a brand. Butane canisters with BOPK brand were distributed during the 2016 elections to the city’s registered voters and are still in the market now. BOPK butane canisters have the same color (blue and yellow), identical with BOPK as a political party.

And why did the “former political has-been” intervene in the arrest of the three butane refilling workers if he had no interest in the business? Because they were poor and need his help? Oh, come on. There were several others who were arrested by the police for petty crimes that need his help. Did he bother to help them?

Miguel may be a private person, but isn’t he a public figure being the son of the city’s chief executive? He is helping to boost the political stocks of his father as an administrator of the latter’s social media account. He would even attack me on social media. Miguel used his influence on his father by running after the business of Rico’s lechon when the original owners decided to cut business ties. The “former political has-been” ordered the company’s outlets closed for reportedly not paying the rightful taxes and sanitary and environmental violations.

Is there something wrong with this guy? Why did his parents not allow him to join politics? He is the apparent successor of his parents who are already in the “twilight zone” of their political career. Had he joined politics a long time ago, he would have been a councilor or a vice mayor by now. Why? Because his parents don’t want to expose his real character and attitude to the public? Just asking.

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