Fashion PULIS: 2021

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Repost: Enchong Dee Indicted for 1B Cyber Libel Complaint

Image courtesy of Instagram: mr_enchongdee

Enchong Dee will be busy in the coming days.

No, it is not related to an upcoming TV or movie project.

Prosecutors in Davao Occidental approved the filing of a cyber-libel case against him as based on a complaint filed by Drivers United for Mass Progress and Equal Rights (DUMPER) Representative Claudine Diana Bautista-Lim.

Note that Claudine received huge backlash on social media for her supposed “lavish” wedding after several celebrities, including Enchong, commented on it.

Originally, her complaint included singer-actress Agot Isidro as with comedians Pokwang and Ogie Diaz.

Only Enchong was indicted.

According to prosecutors, the other respondents were merely exercising freedom of expression.

“This Office could not attribute malice and ill motive to the said respondents who have taken upon themselves to be the so-called watchdogs of our society,” part of the resolution read.

They maintained Enchong did more than that by imputing a crime – malversation of public funds – against Claudine “which peremptorily makes the complainant a soft target for heavy criticism and pillory, placing her thereby in a bad light due to such reckless and irresponsible tweet of the respondent.”

They noted that in his tweet, Enchong wrote: “The money for commuters and drivers went to her wedding. Let us not prolong this conversation and don’t say otherwise.”

As to Enchong issuing a public apology several days later, they said, “Calling someone a thief, without proof and with heavy malice, is where to draw the line as this is already libelous.”

Enchong is still mum on the issue.