A blogger and lawyer said that it’s possible for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file charges against Ruby Villanueva, popularly known as ‘Mystica’ for her post against President Rodrigo Duterte.
On April 12, lawyer Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that based on Mystica’s statement, she could be charged with ‘inciting to sedition’ for encouraging the people to go out and fight the government.
Atty. Angeles posted some of Mysta’s statements from her vlog that published on March 26 that could be evidence that the former actress was promoting a rebellion.
“Sumasang-ayon na talaga ako kung ano yung mga prinsipyo ni Vice President Leni (Robredo). Dati rati, never ako nagbanggit about Leni Robredo. But right now sumusuporta na ako sa kanila. All the way. Sumusuporta ako sa kanila,” Mystica said.
“Kaya kung sino ang sumusuporta kay Vice President Leni Robredo, let’s get out there and be in full foce, labanan natin itong gobyerno na ito, lalong lalo na ang ating Presidente,” she added.
Mystica also said that it’s better to lose their lives fighting the government instead of choosing not to do something.
She also encouraged her followers to share her statements to everyone on social media.
According to the law, inciting sedition carries a maximum penalty of six years in detention.
In the complaint of the National Bureau of Investigation against Rodel Jayme, one of the alleged uploaders of ‘Bikoy’ videos, status posts on social media are now considered as ‘electronic speech’.
“Seditious words or speeches, write, publish, or circulate scurrilous libels, can now be done electronically (social media and blog web pages) and being online it now caters to a larger and wider audience.” the NBI complaint against Jayme reads.
Mystica posted the said controversial remarks against the government via social media.
Meanwhile, the actress already made a public apology to President Duterte on her latest vlog.
“I’m sure na mapapatawad ako ni Presidente, dahil alam niya na ang isang tao kapag frustrated masasabi niya lahat, katulad din niya nasasabi niya rin kung ano yung frustration niya,” she said.
“Bilang anak, alam ko na hindi tama yun, inaadmit ko, kaya kung yun man ang dahilan na ako ay huhusgahan na ng mundo, ako kakastiguhin na wala akong puso, wala akong ginawa kundi reklamo ng reklamo, siguro niyo naman ay maintindihan niyo ang bakit,” she added.
Will her public apology be enough to save her from possible charges?