Cebu City Councilor Jun Alcover is now confronting a dozen cyberlibel complaints filed against him in Marawi City, a legal move he has labeled as a disturbing act of harassment.
The Core of the Complaint
The legal actions were initiated by businessman Ibrahim Ala Dianalan Jr., also known as Mark Dianalan. Dianalan is the organizer of the popular Colon Night Market, operating under the Participative Association of Sugbo Vendors Incorporated (PASVI).
According to the filed complaints, Alcover allegedly published a series of statements on his Facebook accounts, "Jun Alcover" and "Jun Amigo," which Dianalan claims were defamatory and malicious. The posts, made between September and October 2025, reportedly criticized the management of the night market.
Dianalan asserts that the councilor's posts accused the market of operating without proper approval from the GASA Board and the Cebu City Council. More seriously, the complaint alleges that Alcover referred to Dianalan as part of a "syndicate" and used the Filipino term "buaya," a slang word often denoting a corrupt person.
The businessman further claims that Alcover encouraged vendors to withhold stall payments, insinuating the market's operations were illegal. These actions, Dianalan argues, have damaged his reputation and business integrity.
Alcover's Forceful Defense
Councilor Alcover has vehemently denied all allegations. He counters that the Colon Night Market secured all necessary permits, including a special permit from the Business Permit and Licensing Office and official authorization from the Cebu City Council via Resolution No. 17-0588-2025.
He clarified that the GASA Board holds no regulatory authority over the night market, a position he says is supported by the Cebu City Legal Office in its Opinion No. 2025-241-MCK.
"The posts are not only false but also malicious," Alcover stated. "It is impossible that I was unaware of the City Council’s approval, since I was present and actively participated in the session that authorized the night market’s operations."
Legal Ramifications and Political Context
The complaints seek to prosecute Alcover under the Cybercrime Prevention Act for the alleged crime of cyberlibel. This adds a significant digital dimension to the traditional legal concept of defamation.
For Alcover, this legal challenge represents more than a personal attack. He frames the 12 complaints as part of a broader pattern intended to intimidate public officials and stifle their oversight functions.
He has reiterated his commitment to his council duties, vowing to continue scrutinizing city operations and advocating for transparency in local governance, despite the legal pressure.
The case sets the stage for a complex legal battle that intersects politics, social media use, and business regulation in Cebu City.
