Senator Manny Pacquiao filed a P100-million libel and cyber libel case with the Makati City Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday (Sept. 14) against religious sect leader and self proclaimed " Appointed Son of God" and "Owner of the Universe" Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who is also the spiritual adviser of President Duterte.
Pacquiao personally went to the Makati City Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday morning to file the lawsuit against Quiboloy who claimed that the senator misused funds for the unfinished Sarangani Sports Training Center. Quiboloy also alleged that the project had cost the national government P3.5 billion.
Pacquiao's 13-page complaint stated that Quiboloy should pay P100-M in damages plus attorney's fees "for using his power and influence to spread fake news and false information."
Quiboloy owns Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
"He used this deliberate falsehood to brainwash the minds of the Filipino public, recklessly propagating lies to blacken the image and reputation of an honest public servant. He even had the audacity to quote the Holy Scripture in furtherance of his lies, misleading his flock, and confusing the public, with the end in view of blackening another's reputation," the complaint said.
Prior to Pacquiao's boxing match against Yordenis Ugas, a video was leaked on social media where he was heard complaining against the worsening corruption in the country, earning the ire of Duterte who challenged Pacquiao to prove his claim of worsening corruption under his administration.
The boxer/senator explained that all his claims regarding the worsening corruption in the country are based on documents and information he obtained from various concerned citizens. He held a press conference prior to his match with Ugas wherein he presented further proof of graft and corruption under the Duterte administration.
Immediately after Pacquiao's press conference, Quiboloy, in his television program which was live streamed on social media, accused Pacquiao of embezzling public funds for the construction of the Sarangani Sports Training Center.
However, investigation showed that the P3.5 billion was appropriated for the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bataan and that the senator was not involved in the project. It added that Quiboloy's photos of a dilapidated building which he featured in his program were actually old buildings of the Sarangani Province's Sports Complex.