A YouTube video claims that reelectionist Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky” Luistro will be suspended following the filing of a complaint of vote-buying and premature campaigning against her in the Office of the Ombudsman. This is misleading.
The Ombudsman has not ordered the suspension of Luistro. The investigation of her alleged election offenses has not even begun.
Uploaded on May 3, three days after the complaint was filed, the video’s headline read:
“NANIRA KAY VP SARA NAKÂRMA NA! MASUSUSPINDE (She who slandered VP Sara finally got karma! Will be suspended)!
Its thumbnail bore photos of Luistro and Vice President Sara Duterte, along with the text: “NANIRA AT ISA SA SUMUSULONG NG IMPEACHMENT NI VP SARA NA SI REP. JINKY LUISTRO NAKARMA NA (Slanderer and one of those pushing for the impeachment of VP Sara, Rep. Jinky Luistro, got karma)!
While an anonymous complaint against Luistro was filed in the Office of the Ombudsman for vote-buying, premature campaigning, graft and misuse of government funds, the anti-graft body has yet to investigate the allegations.
Luistro, one of the 11 House prosecutors in Duterte’s upcoming impeachment trial, described the charges as “totally unfounded,” in a May 3 Facebook video:
“That is just part of a massive demolition job ng ating mga kalaban (by our opponents). If you will read the complaint, the same is totally unfounded. Walang detalye, walang ebidensya (No details, no evidence). It warrants outright dismissal.”
The Ombudsman may impose sanctions such as suspension, reprimand, demotion, dismissal and payment of fines on a public official found guilty of wrongdoing.
Uploaded by YouTube channel Robin Sweet Showbiz, the misleading video has so far garnered 18,791 interactions.
