Former Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo said he is willing to drop the seven counts of cyber libel he filed against Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) host CJ Hirro if she apologizes, but the accused said she has no intention of saying sorry.
This came after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 20 issued a warrant of arrest against Hirro, who posted bail of P336,000 on Oct. 30.
The case stemmed from two videos uploaded on seven platforms that alleged irregularities in the P71-million Carlos Albert High School gymnasium project, funded through Rillo’s office under the 2023 budget. Rillo denied any wrongdoing.
‘Friend, I have forgiven you for a long time, for everything you said against me,’ Rillo wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend.
‘If you apologize for everything you said to me, who am I not to forgive? I will withdraw the case against you… but if you persist, that’s not all, I have many more libel cases to pursue against you,’ he added.
Hirro, however, said she has no intention of apologizing.
‘I find it particularly troubling that, having pursued criminal charges against me, he now publicly offers to withdraw them in exchange for an apology, while threatening additional libel cases should I refuse,’ Hirro said.
‘I have never sought his forgiveness, nor do I require it. I have no intention of apologizing for doing my job as a journalist,’ she added.
Hirro said her reporting on the project was recognized as ‘fair comment.’
She added that a separate video questioning where public funds had gone was likewise found to concern a legitimate matter of public interest, which led to the dismissal of some portions of the complaint.
She also said the cyber libel complaint against PGMN officers, including its president, Franco Mabanta, was dismissed.
According to Hirro, Rillo had every opportunity to explain the project but instead chose to file a case.
‘Why should I explain to you? Who are you? I will only explain in the proper forum,’ Rillo said in response. ‘Whatever evidence you have, that’s okay, and I welcome it because I believe that will be my vindication,’ he added. ‘I will focus on this personally and will make sure you get convicted to serve as a warning to other bloggers out there.’