A POLITICAL critic of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, Humprey Elvira, remained optimistic that the multiple cyber libel charges filed against him by different individuals will be dismissed.
Elvira, who surrendered to Police Station 3 in Barangay Gun-ob on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, told reporters on Tuesday that he had intended to process his papers on Friday, Jan. 31.
However, due to time constraints, he was unable to do so and anticipated he might be detained over the weekend.
Elvira is currently facing 10 counts of cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Elvira added that his decision to surrender to authorities was driven by his respect for the law and expressed confidence that his cases would be dismissed.
“Ato man nang gituyuan. Kahibaw man ta, kahibaw man ko sa akong gibuhat ug nakahibaw sab ko na ma-dismiss ra sab ni ang tanan (I know what I did and I also know that everything will be dismissed eventually),” said Elvira.
Elvira also admitted that he went into hiding and consulted his lawyer after the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 27 issued one of the two warrants of arrest as “non-bailable” on Jan. 30.
His legal counsel informed him that there was a clerical error on one of the warrants and that it was actually bailable.
RTC Branch 27 has corrected and uploaded the previously issued non-bailable arrest warrant for Elvira, in connection with his one count of cyberlibel.
In a separate interview, Associate City Prosecutor Marvin Boyles clarified to reporters that cyber libel offenses are bailable, with each count carrying a bail amount of P48,000.
“It is bailable. In fact, our resolution and the resolution of our office recommended a bail,” said Boyles.
Chan, along with Canjulao Barangay Captain Rufo Bering and City Hall employee Louie de los Santos, was among those who filed multiple counts of cyber libel against the political critic in 2024.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Chan said that while he is open to constructive criticism, he does not tolerate content that is purely propaganda intended to attract public attention.
He also recalled inviting Elvira for a no-holds-barred interview last year but noted that the critic continues to post content that favors the opposition. / DPC