MANILA—Lawyer Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, is allegedly the complainant in the cyberlibel case that resulted in the arrest of veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr., according to court documents obtained by the journalist’s lawyer.

Several reports noted that Lawyer Dino De Leon said Monday that his law firm secured a copy of the information filed before the Davao City Regional Trial Court, which identifies Carpio as the complainant.

The case stemmed from a Facebook post allegedly published by Lustre on March 6, 2026, under the account name “Philip Jr Lustre.”

The post stated: “SUMUKA si Mans Carpio ng P300-M sa operasyon ng Marines: P150-M kay Mike; P50-M kay Levi; at P5-M sa bawat isa sa 18 Marines?”

According to the court document, the statement, “taken in its plain, natural, and ordinary meaning, directly imputes upon Atty. Manases R. Carpio.”

The post allegedly linked Carpio to the 18 individuals described as former bagmen of former congressman Zaldy Co, who have claimed to have delivered kickbacks to various political officials. The individuals had previously been referred to as the “18 Marines.”

Lustre, 72, was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 24, after attending a media forum in Quezon City. The arrest was carried out under a warrant issued by a Davao City court on Oct. 2.

He was released on P48,000 bail later that day.

De Leon earlier said he would ask the Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding his client’s arrest, including possible irregularities and alleged deprivation of due process.