By Katrina Gracia Consebido
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, Aug. 9, refuted the accusations of former vice presidential bet Walden Bello that she had a hand behind his arrest on Monday, Aug. 8.
In a statement, Duterte said she had never filed a libel case in her life,
“Instead of deflecting blame, playing the victim of an imaginary case of political persecution, and dragging me into his legal woes, I suggest that Mr. Bello be reminded of the fact that a civilized and democratic society does not respect hubris,” Duterte said.
“The right to freedom of speech and expression does not protect anyone from defiling the name and reputation of others,” she added.
Duterte then asked Bello to “focus on salvaging what remains of his dignity and self respect.”
“I am asking him to stop obsessing over me — and stop blaming me for his fall from grace.”
Bello was arrested on Monday by members of the Quezon City Police District for a cyber libel case filed by former Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas against him.
He was released from police custody Tuesday afternoon after posting bail.
READ MORE: Walden Bello arrested for cyber libel
