Charles Teves
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa filed a complaint against Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy on April 19 over name-calling and red-tagging activities on social media.
Ressa requested that Ombudsman Samuel Martires “issue formal charges against Respondent Badoy for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the government, insubordination, and misconduct.”
The former CNN correspondent said Badoy referred to her as an “enemy of the state” and called Rappler an “ally” of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“Respondent Badoy’s actions constitutes red-baiting: her constant posting on facebook about my alleged alliance/affiliation with known communist groups such as the CPP, the NPA, and the NDF, and that I am allegedly an ‘enemy of the people’ or a ‘mouthpiece of enemies of the state’ are not only false but create a real threat to my life, security and liberty,” said Ressa in her 29-page complaint.
Ressa cited Badoy’s “malicious and defamatory” posts on social media. The anti-communist task force spokesperson previously called Ressa a “bare faced liar” and “master b***s*****r.”
“I seek to hold Respondent Badoy accountable for failing to uphold the highest standards of professionalism as well as to observe proper decorum and decency that tarnishes the reputation of public office,” the complaint said.
Other red-tagging complaints were also filed against Badoy by progressive groups, student leaders, teachers, activists, and members of the religious sector.
However, Badoy in a statement said she is unbothered by the complaints as they are mere propaganda.
Rappler’s Lian Buan made a thread on twitter further detailing the complaint by Ressa.
There were other criminal and admin complaints vs Badoy and Parlade filed much earlier, but no known action was done.
Ressa urges Omb Martires to "issue Formal Charges vs Badoy for Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interests of the Government, Insubordination, and Misconduct pic.twitter.com/F1R4u4soPU
— Lian Buan (@lianbuan) April 19, 2022
Most recently, Badoy red-tagged the mainstream media in the country.
Her move came after Robredo’s numbers in the surveys saw an improvement.
Richard Heydarian and Jim Paredes saw right through Badoy’s intention.
Bottomless to… https://t.co/F1dd1f4mL0
— Richard Heydarian (@RichHeydarian) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1508301419857989637?s=20&t=q-spM3uroagLS9WA_VtM4Q
This isn’t the first time Badoy attacked the media. In 2020, she red-tagged CNN Philippines for allegedly sheltering the League of Filipino Students (LFS) in its network.
🚨 ALERT 🚨
NTF-ELCAC's Lorraine Badoy baselessly red-tags @CNNPhilippines alongside LFS for launching a relief ops for victims of #UlyssesPH
Meanwhile, LFS continues to take part of relief ops and gather donations.
For interested volunteers, please do not hesitate to DM us! pic.twitter.com/72PNwJQS2E
— League of Filipino Students (@LFSPhilippines) November 13, 2020
