City Mayor Files New Suit Against Capitol Info Chief

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The legal dispute between Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Jose Nereo Lujan, head of the Iloilo Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO), has intensified, with the mayor filing another cyberlibel complaint against the provincial official.

Treñas disclosed in a press conference on Monday, February 17, that he lodged a new cyberlibel complaint with eight counts against Lujan after the Dinagyang Festival in late January this year.

This is on top of a cyberlibel complaint of the city mayor where the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office in an October 2024 resolution, indicted Lujan for three counts of cyberlibel under Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

The resolution stated that prima facie evidence (on its face) exists to warrant the filing of three separate charges of cyberlibel against Lujan, over three of his Facebook posts that were found to be libelous, malicious, and defamatory against Treñas.

“I have been [a politician for] 39 years and I have never accused a member of the media. But if you are not a member of the media, and you make fun of me, oppress me, and ridicule me. I will not allow it,” he said.

Aside from the cyberlibel case, Treñas added that he already filed an administrative complaint with the Civil Service Commission, citing that Lujan is a public official and is expected to discharge his duties with utmost responsibility and integrity.

“What is he doing attacking me during office hours? We all have work. He is a PIO of the province and what he is only doing is attacking and attacking me,” he emphasized.

“As a public servant, it’s not his responsibility to ridicule or put to shame the mayor of Iloilo,” he added.

While he acknowledged that freedom of expression is a facet of democracy, the city mayor stressed that it should still be used responsibly.

Treñas further emphasized his legal background, highlighting his law degree from Ateneo de Manila and his 11th place finish in the 1982 Bar Examinations.

He maintained that in 39 years in public office, he never publicly “ridiculed” and “put to shame” any person.

In May last year, Treñas, angered by reports about the market demolition, threatened to sue journalists, including a reporter from Daily Guardian, for libel.

Meanwhile, Lujan claimed he had yet to receive official notice regarding the city mayor’s new cyberlibel complaint.

He maintained that criticism of elected officials is a fundamental right and vowed to exhaust all legal remedies to defend himself.

Regarding allegations that he used government time for social media posts, Lujan dismissed the claim, citing Facebook’s scheduled post feature and his office’s multiple “Best Performing Information Office” awards from the Philippine Information Agency as proof of his work efficiency.

Lujan asserted that he was merely fulfilling his duty as a government employee by speaking out against alleged wrongdoing, referencing the government’s former oath of service, which included the pledge to “speak out against corruption and abuse.”

“I have faced numerous complaints and cases before, and I respect anyone’s right to bring their grievances to court. As long as justice remains blind and impartial, I have nothing to fear,” he said.