Tabuk City Mayor Estrañero files another cyber libel case against outspoken critic Atty. Comafay

Tabuk City, Kalinga –Mayor Darwin Estrañero once again files a cyber libel complaint against his staunch critic, a crusader against corruption, Attorney Errol Comafay.

Comafay, in his Facebook post, mentioned that the content of the complaint filed by Estrañero is the same with the one he filed at the Isabela Prosecutor’s Office, which was dismissed. The complaint stemmed from an interview regarding the famous thermal scanner bought by the City LGU at 12,000 pesos a piece which has a market value of 300-400 pesos.

The City LGU bought 100 pieces for 1.2 million pesos from a supplier in Cauayan, Isabela.

“Parehas ang nilalaman ng Complaint na isinampa niya sa Isabela. Dinismiss ng Prosecutor's Office ang Complaint ni Mayor Darwin,” he wrote.

The Complaint of Estrañero

Mayor Estrañero, in his affidavit, said that ‘in his fervent desire to malign my person, character and honor’, Comafay made the publication of the affidavit-complaint he filed against Estrañero at the Office of the Ombudsman as well as the publication of his interview on 98.5 iFM on the Facebook page Oplan Salacnib.

The incumbent mayor added that it was Comafay who made it possible for the posting of his affidavit of complaint, claiming that there could be no way others could have gotten a copy of the said document and knew that it was filed if he didn’t provide it to them.

With this, Estrañero accused the lawyer of trial by publicity, saying that he is aware his complaint ‘doesn’t hold water as the procurement of the thermal scanners followed the proper procedures’. Moreover, he asserted that what Comafay said in his interview has no factual basis and is highly speculative. He said that these are ‘all false statements made to destroy my reputation’.

With ‘malicious public imputation’ made by Comafay, Estrañero stated, “I suffered and continue to suffer anxiety, besmirched reputation, mental anguish, sleepless nights, not to mention the damage he has caused to my career, reputation and honor among the readers and the general public.

He also prayed that Comafay will be made to pay the damages the complainant suffered in whatever the court deems sufficient and proper as well as the attorney fees and the cost of the suit.

Comafay’s take on the cyber libel complaint

Comafay said in an interview that “the complaint shows the Mayor in desperate move to silence dissent as he cannot provide a clear and better explanation why he bought the thermal scanner which costs 300-400 pesos for 12,000 pesos a piece. The overpricing is so blatant that it went overboard the ceiling price of DOH at 8,000 pesos.”

It can be recalled that Estranero justified the buying of the thermal scanner as between life and death.

“Sinampahan niya ako ng kasong CYBER LIBEL dahil na-post sa Facebook ang demanda ko sa kanya sa Office of the Ombudsman… Nagrereklamo rin siya sa pagka-post sa Facebook ng interview sa akin ng iFM Cauayan. Ang interview ay tungkol sa demanda ko Kay Mayor Darwin na naisampa sa Ombudsman,” explained Comafay.

Comafay filed a case against Estranero at the office of the Ombudsman, claiming the Mayor bought overpriced medical supplies in March 2020.