House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Representative Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe filed a cyberlibel complaint Monday afternoon against the Manila Times Publishing Corporation, along with several of its officers, editors, and writers, for allegedly publishing a false and malicious report based on a fabricated campaign document bearing a forged signature attributed to him.
The complaint, lodged before the Zamboanga City Prosecutor’s Office, names the Manila Times Publishing Corporation and its officials Dante Francis M. Ang II, Michael Alexander M. Ang, Anna Marie A. Thompson, Dante A. Ang, Ma. Preciosa Monica DV. Ang, Joanna Paola DV. Ang, Michele Denise D. Saludo, and Joseph Noel M. Estrada as respondents. Also included are editors Arnold Belleza, Leena Calso Chua, Lynette O. Luna, Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Conrad M. Cariño, Emil Noguera, Frederick Nasiad, Dafort Villaseran, Rene H. Dilan, and writers Red Mendoza, Kaiser Jan Fuentes, and Catherine S. Valente.
At the center of the controversy is an article titled “Leaked paper lays out poll attack plan,” which Dalipe says falsely implicated him in a so-called “Mid-Election Campaign Sprint Action Plan,” allegedly orchestrated to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte and disqualify her allies.
“These accusations are baseless, and I categorically deny any involvement or the authenticity of this document,” Dalipe declared in his sworn affidavit, firmly denouncing the alleged “Oplan Horus” as a fabrication designed to malign him.
Dalipe asserted that the forged document and defamatory article were intended to tarnish his reputation and destabilize the political environment ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. “I cannot allow myself to be the target of a desperate attempt to discredit me and undermine democratic processes,” he said.
The complaint cites the article’s publication as a violation of Cyberlibel under Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code. Dalipe emphasized that the Manila Times staff failed to exercise due diligence by not verifying the authenticity of the document with him.
“The authors never made any effort to confirm the veracity of the fabricated document with me,” he stated. He further noted that despite Navotas Representative and Bagong Alyansa campaign manager Toby Tiangco publicly denying the document’s authenticity, the Manila Times proceeded with its publication.
Dalipe described the article as falsely portraying him as leading a massive political scheme involving bribery, propaganda funding, and politically motivated arrests—allegations he said were entirely fabricated and malicious.
“These deliberate lies are intended to destroy my credibility and public service career,” Dalipe said, stressing that the publication’s timing, close to the 2025 elections, revealed a calculated attempt to influence public opinion against him.
The complaint also highlighted the wide dissemination of the allegedly libelous article, which was shared on the Manila Times’ official website and its verified Facebook page, amassing thousands of interactions.
Furthermore, Dalipe held the Manila Times’ directors personally liable, accusing them of failing to prevent or remedy the defamatory publication. “They had the ability to oversee and prevent The Manila Times from becoming a platform for cyberlibel,” he stated.
Calling the publication of the forged “Oplan Horus” document a direct attack on his integrity, Dalipe stressed that he had no choice but to seek legal redress to defend his honor and uphold truth and accountability.
“I am constrained to file this complaint not only to protect my reputation but also to put an end to irresponsible and malicious accusations,” Dalipe concluded.