NBI seeks inhibition of prosecutor handling Paolo Duterte libel raps

MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said Monday the bureau would seek the inhibition of a prosecutor handling the libel and cyberlibel complaints recently filed by Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte against him. 

Matibag said the bureau discovered that Davao City prosecutor Jhopee Salvador Avanceña is a first cousin of Honeylet Avanceña, the common-law partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

While Matibag acknowledged that the relationship might not constitute a legal ground for disqualification by affinity, he said the connection raises concerns that warrant a change of venue. 

The NBI will seek the transfer of the complaints to the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service to ensure impartiality, Matibag said. 

“We know that there’s no legal relationship because by affinity, there’s none because it’s not a marriage, but still, it develops a sense of alarming reason for us to transfer because there’s still a deep relationship to remove the bias already. So that it must just be fair,” Matibag said.

The motion seeks to suspend the proceedings while the request for inhibition and transfer of venue is being considered.

Rep. Duterte filed the libel and cyberlibel complaints on Friday against Matibag, a television network, and other respondents over allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the Duterte family upon the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

The allegations remain under NBI investigation.