The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially dismissed multiple cyberlibel charges that were filed by former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia against current Governor Pamela Baricuatro. This decision, issued on March 6, 2026, upholds a previous ruling from June 2025, firmly favoring Baricuatro in this legal dispute.
Lack of Evidence and Legal Grounds Cited
In an 11-page resolution signed by Justice Secretary Frederrick Vida, the DOJ investigators rejected Garcia's petition to overturn the earlier decision. The dismissal was based on a clear lack of substantial evidence and legal foundation, with the case failing to meet the 15-day prescriptive period required by law. Additionally, internal inconsistencies within the charges further weakened Garcia's claims, leading to their outright rejection.
Background of the Cyberlibel Case
The charges stemmed from two TikTok videos posted by Baricuatro several months before the May 2025 elections. In these videos, Baricuatro allegedly accused Garcia of soliciting SOP or "kickbacks," allegations that Garcia vehemently denied, arguing they were baseless, lacked evidence, and damaged her reputation. However, in June 2025, the court emphasized that as public officials, both individuals should expect to be subjects of public inquiry and scrutiny, and should not be overly sensitive to criticism.
DOJ's Rationale for Dismissal
The DOJ concluded that Baricuatro's statements did not meet the legal threshold of "actual malice," a key element in libel cases. This finding was crucial in the decision to dismiss the charges, reinforcing that the allegations were insufficient to support a cyberlibel conviction. The resolution underscores the importance of robust evidence in such legal matters and highlights the challenges in proving defamation in the context of public discourse.
This ruling marks a significant legal victory for Governor Baricuatro, while former Governor Garcia's efforts to pursue the case have been definitively halted by the justice department's thorough review.
