PCG commodore files cyberlibel vs blogger over defamatory posts

Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard filed a cyberlibel complaint against blogger Sass Rogando Sasot on Friday, July 4, over allegedly defamatory posts made between July and October 2024.

Tarriela claims that Sasot posted false allegations accusing him of bribery, corruption, dishonesty, misconduct, receiving $4 million from the US government as a talent fee, and accepting three black bags from House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The PCG spokesperson is seeking PHP 1.25 million in damages for reputational harm caused by these 'malicious and baseless' claims.

Sasot acknowledged Tarriela's right to file the case but stated she will wait for legal service of the complaint before responding legally from her location outside the Philippines.

Tarriela emphasized that there are limits to freedom of expression when it damages one’s reputation, especially in matters involving national interest like the West Philippine Sea.

The Manila Prosecutor's Office received the complaint through the legal assistance of the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), a non-profit organization combating disinformation on social media.