Kiko Pangilinan files cyberlibel complaint vs online site, Google, YouTube

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (left) and Sharon

Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday filed a cyber libel complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against YouTube channel “Bungangera TV” in connection with a series of videos alleging that he physically abuses his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, and their children, including stepdaughter KC Concepcion.

In a document submitted to the DOJ, Pangilinan named respondents the management and operators of “Butangera TV,” as well as the authorized representatives and officers of Google and YouTube Philippines for allowing the site’s supposed malicious content to make the rounds of social media.

“Sobra itong paninirang ginagawa nila. Milyon ang nakapanood ng kasinungalingan,” Pangilinan told reporters.(The slander being done is excessive. Millions have witnessed the lies.)

Pangilinan said that he already lodged a complaint against the website for violating the community standards, but YouTube has not acted on his complaint.

“Nireklamo natin ito sa Youtube for violating community standards pero hanggang ngayon nariyan pa rin, hindi nila inaaksiyunan,” said Pangilinan. (We reported this on Youtube for violating community standards, but up to now, they haven’t taken action.)

Cyberlibel is a violation of the Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, of which authorized representatives, officers, and or directors of Google and YouTube Philippines may be charged for “aiding or abetting” the commission of cybercrime for allowing uploading of the said on its online platform.

A portion of Pangilinan’s complaint. Document from complainant.

The complaint centered on a Dec. 28, 2023 video where actor Gabby Concepcion purportedly confronted Pangilinan for allegedly abusing KC, his stepdaughter. According to Pangilinan, the video already garnered 266,775 views as of Jan. 23, 2024.

On Dec. 29, 2023 Bungangera TV authored and posted another video alluding to Pangilinan as 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,” read the complaint.

“We are appealing to YouTube and Google to help us identify them. Of course, the NBI and the cybercrime division of the DOJ. They have the capacity, they have the technology so panahon na lang ang binibilang para malaman natin ang mga tao sa likod nitong mga channel na ito at mga videos (so, it will take a short time to identify those behind this channel and the videos they have created),” he further stated.

Butangera TV’s video appeared to milk the highly-publicized rift between Pangilinan and KC that had affected even Cuneta.

Just recently, Cuneta and her ex-husband, Gabby held a reunion concert where KC was a guest. Onstage, Cuneta apologized to KC for not being able to give her “that complete family.” However, the Megastar informed her first-born daughter that the latter now has not just one but “two families.”

“Sorry, KC. We couldn’t give you that complete family, but you have two families. Papa and I never stopped loving you, and you were never the problem,” Cuneta told KC.