Iloilo city prosecutor indicts critic Lujan on cyber libel

Iloilo City Prosecutor's Office has indicted Nereo Lujan, a critic of Mayor Jerry Treñas, on three counts of cyber libel over online comments critical of city hall projects.

Assistant City Prosecutor Caryl Kate Fabella-Genova rejected Lujan's motion for reconsideration regarding the cyber libel complaint filed by Treñas last year, emphasizing that his posts contained false and defamatory statements.

The prosecutor determined that Lujan’s Facebook posts were intended to damage Treñas' reputation, including a video implying the mayor ignored traffic laws, a sarcastic post about police escorts, and an image of Saint Peter denying Treñas entry to heaven.

Mayor Treñas stated that while criticism is permissible, it should not be used to unjustly tarnish reputations with defamatory statements, welcoming Lujan's indictment as necessary.

Lujan criticized the mayor for the demolition of Central Market’s heritage façade without informing the public, leading to widespread backlash against the Treñas administration.

In response to his indictment, Lujan expressed concern over the premature leak of information to the media and questioned its intent, emphasizing that an indictment does not equate to a conviction.