HOUSE Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Representative Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe filed a cyberlibel complaint Monday afternoon against the Manila Times Publishing Corporation, along with several of its officers, editors, and writers, for allegedly publishing a false and malicious report based on a fabricated campaign document bearing a forged signature attributed to him.
Named respondents in the complaint are the Manila Times Publishing Corporation, its officials Dante Francis M. Ang II, Michael Alexander M. Ang, Anna Marie A. Thompson, Dante A. Ang, Ma. Preciosa Monica DV. Ang, Joanna Paola DV. Ang, Michele Denise D. Saludo, and Joseph Noel M. Estrada, as among the management and directors of the publication.
Also included are editors Arnold Belleza, Leena Calso Chua, Lynette O. Luna, Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Conrad M. Cariño, Emil Noguera, Frederick Nasiad, Dafort Villaseran, and Rene H. Dilan, as well as the writers of the article Red Mendoza, Kaiser Jan Fuentes, and Catherine S. Valente.
In his complaint filed before the Zamboanga City Prosecutor’s Office, Dalipe said the Manila Times’ article titled “Leaked paper lays out poll attack plan” falsely attributed to him a supposed “Mid-Election Campaign Sprint Action Plan” aimed at orchestrating the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and disqualifying her allies.
“These accusations are without merit, and I categorically deny the authenticity of this document,” Dalipe declared in his sworn affidavit.
He emphasized that the so-called “Oplan Horus” document was fabricated and bore a forged signature attributed to him.
“I cannot allow myself to be the subject of another’s desperate attempt to make a baseless claim that seeks not only to tarnish my reputation but to destabilize the political landscape by attributing to me actions that are both uncharacteristic and contrary to the principles of fair play and democracy that I have always upheld,” Dalipe stated.
The complaint stressed that the article’s allegations were defamatory, malicious, and intended to expose him to public ridicule and contempt.
“The acts of the Respondents in connection with the publishing of the Subject Libelous Article constitute a violation of Cyber Libel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175 in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code,” Dalipe asserted.
He also pointed out the deliberate recklessness of the Manila Times writers and editors, noting that they never attempted to verify the authenticity of the so-called Oplan Horus document with him.
“The respondent Authors never made any attempt to confirm the truthfulness of the Falsified Document with me,” Dalipe said.
He stressed that even after Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, the Bagong Alyansa campaign manager, publicly denied the authenticity of the document, the Manila Times still chose to proceed with its publication.
“The deliberate omission to verify the Falsified Document with me – despite its facially dubious content and obvious implausibility – compounded by an explicit denial from another party, amounts to a blatant disregard for the truth,” Dalipe emphasized.
According to the complaint, the article portrayed Dalipe as orchestrating a massive scheme involving bribery, propaganda funding, and politically motivated arrests—accusations he said were patently false, malicious, and crafted to destroy his credibility.
“All of these allegations are deliberate lies, reek of malice, and were clearly designed to harm my reputation,” he said.
Dalipe described the article as particularly damaging because of its timing, coming just as the 2025 midterm elections approached.
“The timing and tenor of the publication reveal a calculated effort not merely to supposedly expose me to public ridicule, but to influence public opinion and undermine my candidacy,” he asserted.
The complaint noted that the libelous article was disseminated not only through the Manila Times’ official website but also across its verified Facebook page with over one million followers, garnering thousands of interactions.
“Clearly, the publication requirement is satisfied,” Dalipe’s affidavit emphasized.
He also held the Manila Times’ directors personally liable, citing their failure to prevent or rectify the publication of the false and defamatory article.
“They had the ability to prevent or remedy The Manila Times’ operations in order to avoid such company from being used as a conduit to commit Cyber Libel,” Dalipe stated.
Dalipe underscored that the publication of the fake Oplan Horus document was a deliberate attack on his integrity and public service career.
“This is an utterly baseless attack against which I must resolutely defend my integrity and honor,” he said.
Asserting his commitment to truth and accountability, Dalipe said he was left with no choice but to seek legal remedy.
“I am constrained to file this Complaint-Affidavit not only to protect my reputation, but also to put a stop to irresponsible accusations,” Dalipe declared.
About the Author
