The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked YouTube to preserve the contents of a channel which vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan accused of making libelous statements against him and his family.
Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) Officer-in-Charge Director Charito A. Zamora said the YouTube request was made after Pangilinan filed a complaint before the DOJ against YouTube channel Maharlika.
Zamora said: “We already requested YouTube to preserve all data pertaining to the subject account complained of. The purpose there is to make sure that the integrity of computer data relating to the account is intact and available in the event that the complainant will pursue with the filing of the case with the prosecution service.”
Once Pangilinan pursues his complaint, Zamora said law enforcement, like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), will secure the videos from YouTube.
She admitted that “the challenge there is apparently the person being complained of is based abroad.” Steps will be taken to address the issue, she added.
Last Feb. 15, Pangilinan said he filed a complaint against Maharlika for violating Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
He said his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, and their daughter, Frankie, will also be filing their complaints.
He pointed out that YouTube’s Maharlika channel has been videos attacking him since May 21, 2021.
"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," he said in his complaint.