Embattled former congressman Marvin Rillo’s seven cyberlibel cases against PGMN Lead Anchor Cj Hirro hit a roadblock after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court canceled her arraignment on Friday, the first day of proceedings at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, following a motion to quash filed by her camp.
Hirro’s investigative reports exposing irregularities in government spending during Marvin Rillo’s term as Quezon City’s 4th District representative brought public attention to the questioned expenditures but also resulted in seven cyberlibel charges against her.
The city prosecutor recognized that Hirro’s reporting on the ₱71-million Carlos L. Albert High School gymnasium project relied on official government documents and Rillo’s own public statements, noting that questioning how public funds were spent is a legitimate matter of public interest.
Hirro had earlier posted ₱336,000 in bail, while Rillo later offered to withdraw the cases if she issued an apology. He also warned that additional libel complaints could be filed if she refused. Hirro rejected the condition, saying the focus should instead remain on the issues raised by her investigations. She maintained that Rillo should seek forgiveness from his former constituents, whose public funds were misused.
Some portions of the original complaints were dismissed during the prosecutor’s review. Her reports were considered fair comment based on official documents, while a separate segment questioning the whereabouts of public funds was recognized as a legitimate matter of public interest. The complaints against PGMN officials, including Founder and CEO Franco Mabanta, were also dismissed.
The prosecutor found that the third episode contained no defamatory statements, emphasizing that public officials should expect to face sharp and even caustic criticism.
Despite the pending cases, Hirro reiterated her commitment to investigative journalism and said she welcomed the opportunity to present the evidence behind her reports in court.
“I stand by my findings, my work, and my duty to the Filipino people. And so I will continue to ask the question that started it all: Nasaan ang pera?” she said in a statement.
