Lacson filed Libel Charges vs. Joker Arroyo

LABAN ng Demokratikong Pilipino senatorial bet Panfilo "Ping" Lacson today vowed to file libel charges against Makati Rep. Joker Arroyo for accusing him of being corrupt.

In an interview with RPN 9, Lacson said he has to protect his name form Arroyo's malicious imputation made against his person in a news item which appeared in the INQUIRER last March 10.

Lacson was referring to the seventh paragraph of the boxed story entitled "Billionaires among Erap bets named" which quoted Arroyo as saying: Ay naku, Grabe yan sa corruption."

In the same article, Arroyo also claimed Lacson was the "richest candidate as shown by his expensive campaign posters and vehicles."

Lacson said he has already talked to his lawyers about the case and they agreed to file it within the week in Cavite, the home province of the former chief of the Philippine National Police.

"I believe Congressman Arroyo's tirade is a low blow considering that I have never been accused of graft before any court of law," Lacson said.

Lacson pointed out that in his entire career in the Armed Forces and later in the PNP, he managed to keep his nose clean which is the reason why he was never linked to fund anomalies, including jueteng payola.

"I have to protect my honor from Congressman Arroyo's malicious attack since I have worked very hard to maintain my clean name. Mr. Arroyo should also realize that the election campaign does not give him the license to besmirch the reputation of any candidate." Lacson said.

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