Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Melquiades "Mel" Robles has hired Atty. Camille Vazquez, in his defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit against vlogger Claire Contreras, also known as "Maharlika," before the Central District Court of California.
The American attorney gained prominence for representing actor Johnny Depp in the defamation case he brought against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
In a press conference, Robles stated that he and his wife Sherwil had decided to pursue these charges to defend their family's honor, reputation, and dignity and to "stop the suspect from continuously harassing and maligning them through her online vlog."
"My father always told me that honor is more important than wealth," Robles said and added that for almost a year, his family endured a nearly daily barrage of vicious, unjustifiable, and blatantly false attacks through Maharlika's YouTube channel, Boldyak TV.
But the most daring act of Contreras that forced him to file the cases against the vlogger was when she published the photo of his 14-year-old daughter, potentially endangering her life.
"What she (Contreras) did expose my child to possible hate crime. That, to me, is unforgivable," Robles said.
He said, "For reasons unknown to us, she continues to deliberately spread malicious lies against us while also calling me various names that were meant to deride and denigrate my reputation."
He added that beyond name-calling, the suspect had made several untrue and outrageous accusations against him, including that he had stolen money, engaged in contract killing, and aided terrorists.
Robles admitted they initially tried to ignore the accusations, knowing they were lies and fabrications. However, they decided to seek legal redress when it became clear that the suspect had no intention of stopping her unfounded attacks.
He was particularly concerned when the suspect extended her malicious allegations to include his wife and minor child.
"We are law-abiding citizens who did nothing to harm her. It is our right, therefore, to defend our names and reputations, especially my wife, who is a private citizen and has dedicated herself to raising our family and supporting charitable causes," Robles said.
Pattern of behavior
This is not the first time the suspect has faced legal action. Filipino international fashion designer Puey Quiñones previously filed a defamation suit seeking $2 million in damages. Quiñones, based in the United States, said the suspect falsely accused him and First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos of producing counterfeit designs.
"I don't understand why she involved the First Lady. Where [her] hate is coming from. Why is she bad-mouthing the First Couple?" Quiñones said, emphasizing that he neither knew nor had any relationship with the suspect, whom he described as an "attack dog vlogger."
Quiñones noted that before the vlog's attacks, his business was thriving, with fashion shows at the Palace and US institutions. However, after the suspect's accusations, his projects were canceled, proposals were rejected, and his factory in the Philippines was impacted.
Additionally, broadcaster Anthony "Ka Tunying" Taberna filed a cyber libel case against the suspect last year after she accused him of tax evasion and maligned his sick daughter, Zoey. Taberna stated that a Pampanga Regional Trial Court had issued an arrest warrant against the suspect.
Contreras is a known rabid anti-Marcos administration critic, attacking the policies and even the personal life of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in her blog. Maharlika has reportedly linked Robles' alleged attempt on her life to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, with some speculating this is part of a broader agenda to bring down the Marcos administration.
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