Migz slams black prop, eves cyberlibel raps

Former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri is planning to file cyberlibel cases against certain personalities spreading unsubstantiated claims of his ownership of a house in Forbes Park, private airplanes, jets and helicopters, suggesting that all these were acquired through corruption

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Refuting the black propaganda intended to tarnish the good name he has built over years as a public servant, Zubiri said that these claims, which came in the form of videos spreading rumors posted on social media, were perfectly timed to coincide with his ouster as the leader of the Senate. “They came out with a first set of videos two months ago, in the first attempt to unseat me. When that failed, they produced a part-two video, which was released during the week of the second attempt. The timing is impeccable,” he added.

The senator noted that the videos indicated his ownership of a house in Forbes Park, as well as private airplanes, jets and helicopters, suggesting that he acquired such assets through corruption.

“It’s an obvious attempt to discredit my leadership and taint my name. And they’re funneling huge amounts of money into this campaign – from production to promotion,” Zubiri said.

“So, to whomever’s spreading these lies to make it look like I’m pocketing government money to buy mansions and jets, these are totally false. I hope they’re ready because I will be filing cases and will not stop until justice prevails. There’s no truth to that,” he declared, even challenging these fake news peddlers that if they can find a house in his name in Forbes, they can have it.

The former Senate president revealed that he bought his current house, which is not in Forbes, in 2009, as indicated in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALN.

As for the private aircraft, he explained that his obligations as a senator, especially during his time as Senate president, sometimes required him to borrow private aircraft to attend functions on a tight schedule.