Former senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday yesterday filed a cyber libel complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the management of YouTube channel “Bungangera TV” for allegedly making it appear that he physically abuses his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, and their children.
Pangilinan also impleaded in his cyber libel case for violation of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrimes Prevention Act of 2012, were the authorized representatives, officers and or directors of Google and YouTube Philippines for “aiding or abetting” the commission of cybercrime for allowing the uploading of the said on its online platform.
Pangilinan accused the administrator and those behind Bungangera TV of posting on several videos on Dec. 28, 2023, entitled “Gabby Concepcion Sinugod si Kiko Pangilinan Dahil sa Ginawa Nito Kay KC Concepcion,” referring to Pangilinan’s stepdaughter.
According to the complaint, the video thumbnail contained the text “Baboy Ka, Pati Anak Ko Hindi Mo Pinalampas.”
Pangilinan said as of Jan. 23, 2024, the said video has already garnered 266, 775 views.
On Dec. 29, 2023, he said Bungangera TV authored and posted another video entitled “Bistado! Frankie Pangilinan Sinugod si KC Concepcion Matapos Makipagrelasyon Kay Kiko Pangilinan,” and another video which says “KC Concepcion Inamin Na Ang Ginawa Sa Kanya Ni Kiko Pangilinan.”
The video also alluded to the former senator as being an abusive and unfaithful husband to Cuneta and their children.
“The videos authored and created by Bungangera TV created in the minds of the viewers that I am a husband who physically abuses his wife and children. The titles, thumbnails, and all other contents of the videos pertaining to me and my family are all false, have no factual basis and are intended to destroy or damage my reputation as a public servant, and a husband to one of the most beloved celebrities in the Philippines, Sharon Cuneta Pangilinan,” the complaint stated.
“The libelous videos are not only intended to destroy my relationship with my wife but also meant to destroy my relationship with our children,” he said.
Pangilinan said malice is very evident in the videos posted through the use of thumbnails with texts showing statements that allegedly there is an issue between him and Cuneta and their children.
“The other thumbnails also mislead the viewers that I have a sexual relationship with my daughter. These video thumbnails containing false statements were used to attract viewers to click and watch the videos which are utterly libelous,’ he explained, adding that even after his wife denied the issue, Bungangera TV still did not take down the videos.
In an interview with reporters, Pangilinan said his camp has yet to identify the person behind Bungangera TV that is why they are also seeking the assistance of YouTube and Google as well as the National Bureau of Investigation-Cybercrime Division to unmask them.
“We are appealing to YouTube and Google to help us in identifying them. Of course, the NBI and the cybercrime division of the DOJ. They have the capacity, they have the technology so, it will take a short time to identify those behind this channel and the videos they have created),” he said.
However, Pangilinan lamented what he described as the ‘continuing inaction’ of the management of YouTube adding that they have written to the management since December last year but has yet to receive any update on what action taken.
The former senator lamented that YouTube failed to remove the malicious posts despite reporting it to their attention since December
“Since December we have been reporting, now it is March but there is no action, I think it is arrogance that they are allowing this destruction of character,” he said, adding that his camp also wrote another letter to YouTube Monday morning asking for updates.
At the same time, Pangilinan called on the DOJ to expedite the resolution of similar cases he lodged against other YouTube channels that he said maligned his and his family’s reputation.
In July 2021, Pangilinan sued before the DOJ the owners of YouTube channels Starlet and Latest Chika as well as Google’s country manager for posting videos claiming he physically abused his wife.
Google acquired YouTube in 2006.
In YouTube’s Terms of Service, the entity providing the service or its service provider is Google.
In 2022, Pangilinan also filed a complaint against those responsible for the creation and management of the YouTube channel Maharlika for posting videos attacking him.
“I hope that the DOJ will act swiftly on this. We are calling for a swift resolution on this case since we still have one complaint still under investigation. We hope the resolution of this will be expedited considering we have a new administration,” the former lawmaker said.
In 2022, over 80 fact-checking organizations around the world admonished YouTube for its failure to effectively address online disinformation and misinformation.