Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio has filed three charges against Ruby Villanueva better known as Mystica for her previous vlogs addressed against President Rodrigo Duterte.
Ignacio, who’s a known supporter of President Duterte went personally to the court to sue Mystica for cyber libel, violation of Bayanihan To Heal as One Act, and inciting to sedition.
According to Ignacio, Mystica became too personal with her statements against President Duterte.
“Kapag seryoso ang issue e file na ko ng case. Hindi talakan lang sa fb. Hindi mo puede muramurahin si presidente nang ganun ganun lang at aatungal ka pagkatapos ..mas malala nagyaya ka pa na pabagsakin ang gobyerno imbis na tumulong ka na lang,” Ignacio said.
“Yung pagmumura mo naman e parang PERSONAL ang kasalanan sa iyo e. Kahit man lang sana sa edad nung tao e binigay mo na kahit katiting na pag galang,” he added.
Mystica captured the attention of the netizens, especially the supporters of Duterte after the former actress called for the resignation of President Duterte.
“We don’t need a President with no common sense and who never treats the Filipinos with equal rights in times of crisis!” Mystica said.
“It is time to support Vice President Leni Robredo in order to fight for our survival, hintayin pa ba nating tuluyan ng magutom? The time to act is right now!” she added.
READ MORE: Mystica urges people to support VP Leni: “Hindi natin Kailangan si Duterte, Ginagawa tayong g*go!”
Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that Mystica may be held liable for inciting to sedition because she allegedly urged the people to overthrow a democratically elected government official like President Duterte.
Here’s the possible seditious statement of Mystica according to the lawyer.
“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.
Later on, Mystica apologized to Duterte, believing that the President would understand that she’s only frustrated with what’s happening in the country.
“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.
READ MORE: Mystica apologizes ‘again’ to President Rodrigo Duterte: “Alam ko na ang Pangulo ay may puso”
A few days after Mystica’s apology, Malacanang warned Mystica that she could face charges because of her vlogs.
READ MORE: Spokesperson Harry Roque to Mystica: “May batas po na pwedeng gamitin para parusahan ka”
“Hindi po absolute ang freedom of expression, meron pong hangganan po yan, at nakasaad po sa international covenant on civil and political rights na a state can derogate among others dito po sa freedom of expression kapag mayroon pong national emergency,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.