# GMA Network Faces P20 Million Cyber Libel Complaint From Paolo Duterte, No Court Order to Close

> Paolo Duterte seeks P20 million in damages from GMA Network over a 24 Oras episode, but no court order or closure exists and the network says it has no copy yet.

- Published: 2026-11-05T07:08:25+00:00
- Section: Legal & Disputes
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-05/gma-network-paolo-duterte-cyber-libel-complaint
- Source: [RAPPLER](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-court-order-gma-network-shutdown-over-libel-complaint/)

## Key takeaways

- Paolo Duterte filed a cyber libel complaint against GMA Network on October 23 over a September 25 episode of 24 Oras.
- Duterte is seeking P10 million in moral damages and another P10 million in exemplary damages.
- GMA Network said as of October 23 it had not received a copy of the complaint and would review the matter.
- NBI Director Melvin Matibag sought on October 26 to move the complaint to the DOJ national prosecution service.

A cyber libel complaint filed by Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte against GMA Network seeks P10 million in moral damages and another P10 million in exemplary damages, but no court ruling, government order or credible report indicates the network is closing. [Rappler](https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-court-order-gma-network-shutdown-over-libel-complaint/) rated the shutdown claim false.

## Inside Duterte's Cyber Libel Complaint Against GMA

Duterte filed the complaint on October 23 with Davao City's Office of the City Prosecutor over a September 25 episode of GMA's news program 24 Oras, which aired pre-recorded interviews with dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. and National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag. Gracioso alleged that he delivered suitcases of cash to the Duterte family.

Duterte named Matibag, Gracioso, [GMA Network](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006ta5/gma-network) chairman Felipe Gozon, president and chief executive Gilberto Duavit Jr., and anchors including Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales as respondents. Filing a complaint does not automatically lead to criminal charges or affect the network's operations; under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the prosecutor must first conduct a preliminary investigation and determine whether probable cause exists to bring the case to court.

GMA Network has not announced any closure. As of October 23, the network said it had yet to receive a copy of the complaint and would review the matter. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines GMA Chapter condemned the complaint on October 23, saying the report had undergone "standard, multilayered editorial and legal verification." Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima said suing journalists over reports on corruption allegations sends a chilling message to other media practitioners, while Duterte said he was merely defending his family.

## GMA Network's Broadcast and Distribution Reach

GMA Network is a publicly listed Philippine broadcast and media company operating flagship TV channel GMA 7, three international channels serving the Filipino diaspora, and divisions spanning news, entertainment, radio, film and talent management, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The same records describe a company founded in 1950 and headquartered in Quezon with a revenue estimate of $250 million-$500 million and a valuation estimate of $500 million-$1 billion.

## Earlier Filings and Requests Involving GMA

Duterte filed the cyber libel complaint against GMA Network officials and journalists on October 23 over bribery claims involving him and Vice President Sara Duterte, Rappler reported. On November 2, GMA Network asked the NTC to extend the analog TV shutdown deadline, citing pending implementation guidelines for a government assistance program, according to Malaysia Latest News; the NTC will refer the request to DICT.

## What Comes Next in the Davao Complaint

On October 26, Matibag sought to remove the Davao City prosecutor handling the complaint and move its venue to the Department of Justice's national prosecution service. The NBI investigation into Gracioso's allegations is ongoing.

## Companies in this story

- [GMA Network company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006ta5/gma-network) · website: https://www.gmanetwork.com

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