Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called on the government for a fair and transparent investigation on the cyber libel case filed against former vice presidential candidate Walden Bello.
“I would like to express deep concern over the arrest of Former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, a longtime comrade and friend,” Hontiveros said.
“I would like to call on the administration to ensure a fair and transparent investigation,” she added.
She made the statement a day after Bello was arrested at his Quezon City residence due to a cyber libel case filed by former Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas against him.
The cyber libel complaint was rooted in Bello calling Tupas a “drug dealer” in an online press conference.
Hontiveros said that Bello’s voice being a “leading public intellectual and a steadfast campaigner for justice and human rights” is “essential to any democracy.”
“While Walden and I could sometimes disagree, he will always have a special place in my heart,” she said.
“Now more than ever, we need more people like him, whose genuine commitment to freedom and democracy is beyond question,” she added.