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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Isabela vice mayor faces complaint over alleged seditious remarks vs Marcos admin

Isabela vice mayor faces complaint over alleged seditious remarks vs Marcos admin

Published May 22, 2026 11:45 am  |  Updated May 22, 2026 01:41 pm

At A Glance

  • CICC Executive Director Aboy Paraiso, who filed the complaint together with Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Precious Hipolito-Castelo, said the vice mayor's alleged statements are "no longer a behaviour we can tolerate in social media."
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A vice mayor is facing a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over alleged seditious statements directed against the Marcos administration.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) filed a criminal and administrative complaint on Friday, May 22, against Vice Mayor Harold Respicio of Reina Mercedes, Isabela.
NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag said the complaint covers possible violations including inciting to sedition, rebellion, unlawful publication, and unlawful utterances.
He said the vice mayor could face up to 20 years in prison for each post subject of the complaint. Since Respicio is also a lawyer, Matibag added he may also face a disbarment complaint before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
Based on the CICC complaint-affidavit, Matibag said Respicio allegedly made remarks during a public event opposing efforts to block Vice President Sara Duterte from running for president in 2028.
At the event, Respicio was quoted as saying, “Kapag hindi na gumagana ang foundational principle ng ating Constitution sa demokrasya, ano ang sagot? Rebolusyon (When the foundational principle of democracy in the Constitution is not working, what is the answer? Revolution).”
Matibag added that the vice mayor also asked the audience if they were willing to support a revolution and die, to which some reportedly responded affirmatively.
“All the evidence is already preserved. We have everything,” he said.
Matibag said the CICC could have directly sought a preliminary investigation from the Department of Justice, but instead filed the complaint with the NBI for case build-up.
He said the NBI will issue a subpoena to allow Respicio to respond to the allegations before submitting its findings and recommendations to the DOJ.
CICC Executive Director Aboy Paraiso, who filed the complaint together with Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Precious Hipolito-Castelo, said the vice mayor’s alleged statements are “no longer a behaviour we can tolerate in social media.”
He clarified that the complaint is not meant to restrict freedom of expression, but stressed that free speech has legal limits.

Related Tags

NBI NBI DIRECTOR MELVIN MATIBAG CICC REINA MERCEDES VICE MAYOR
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