Members of the City Council of Mabalacat led by Vice Mayor Christian Halili have filed 58 counts of libel against “fake crusader” Pyra Lucas.
In a presss conference yesterday, Halili said the libel suit against Lucas – who was also declared persona non grata by the SB – stemmed from the latter’s accusations on her Facebook page that the city council are all allegedly “drug protectors.”
Video link on Facebook live presscon
“Walang katapusan na paninira. Nag-umpisa po sa alkalde pababa,” Halili said.
The vice mayor flayed Lucas for her endless tirades.
“Wala pa man syang hawak na dokumento, imaakusahan na tayo na magnanakaw” Halili added.
Halili said he filed 14 counts of libel, while the 11 SB members filed four counts each. Each councilor is asking for P5 million in damages.
Meanwhile, Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales said Lucas’ accusations are baseless.
“Yung ibang tao hindi nila matanggap na sila ay talo. Balita ko, nagsama na silang lahat laban sa akin. Gusto nilang umupo, ayaw naman sa kanila [ng mga tao],” Morales told newsmen.
Councilor Carlo Rivera said: “Nakasalalay po ang reputasyon ng Mabalacat City sa pinaggagawa ng taong ito.”
Lucas accused Halili, along with the city council, as thieves, protectors of drug syndicates, and front runners in corrupt practices in the city government.