Philippine Vice-presidential hopeful Kiko Pangilinan files libel complaint vs. YouTube channel for what he claims as ‘damaging’ content

By Edward Era Barbacena

Vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday, Feb. 14, filed a libel case against YouTube channel Maharlika for spreading false and malicious content that intends to inflict damage on him and his family.

The senator said his wife, superstar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, and daughter, Frankie, also intend to file a case against Maharlika for violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Tech giant Google, which owns YouTube, must also explain how these videos do not violate its community standards after the senator repeatedly asked the company to take down the “libelous video content,” Pangilinan added.

“We also urge corporations placing ads on these and similar YouTube channels to stop enabling these sites that peddle lies and disinformation,” he said as he filed the case before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The complaint stated further that “the contents of the videos are all false, have no factual basis and are intended to destroy or damage my reputation as a senator, public servant, and a husband to one of the most beloved celebrities in the Philippines, Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan.”

“More importantly, the libelous videos are meant to destroy the family. The libelous videos are not only intended to damage my relationship with my wife but also meant to destroy my relationship with our children,” the senator said.

He added that the people behind the channel “acted in reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity of the statements in the video.”

The Maharlika YouTube channel started posting a series of videos attacking Pangilinan on May 21, 2021. It also posted videos about his wife, Sharon.

This follows the two separate cyber libel complaints Pangilinan filed in July 2021 against YouTube channels “Latest Chika” and “Starlet” for similar false videos, which video-sharing platform YouTube has since taken down.

In the videos, “Latest Chika” and “Starlet” alleged Pangilinan was abusing his wife, Sharon, and that the Megastar was cheating on him.

On January 12 this year, over 80 fact-checking organizations around the world admonished YouTube for its failure to effectively address online disinformation and misinformation.

The organizations called on YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki to end the spread of disinformation using YouTube as the platform.

A news release from Pangilinan’s camp said that among many politicians who used YouTube for “political disinformation and misinformation” is the family of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, who distorted “historical facts about their ill-gotten wealth.”