(June 22, 2021) – Following backlash after being hired by the Department of Finance (DOF), the camp of a public relations practitioner on Monday said there is “nothing inappropriate” with the decision to get him as a consultant.
Atty. Reginald Tongol, lawyer of Nicanor Gabunada Jr., maintained that the legal process was followed by the DOF, citing the Procurement Law.
“What is illegal and violative of our client’s data privacy rights is the unauthorized disclosure of his personal data for no other purpose but to make him and his family easy targets for threats and ridicule,” said Tongol in a statement.
Tongol added it is “illegal” and “libelous” to insinuate impropriety in the move of the DOF as it casts doubt on Gabunada’s credibility.
“It’s malicious to keep bringing up the solely business prerogative of Facebook in tagging and maligning our client and connecting it with this totally separate and aboveboard agreement,” said Tongol.
The DOF validated that Gabunada is “legally, technically and financially capable” to fulfill his role as consultant.
Gabunada served as the social media manager of the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. He was tagged by Facebook as the operator behind a fake account network that pushed for candidates backed by Duterte in the 2019 midterm elections and attacked their counterparts in the opposition.
Facebook took down 67 pages, 68 accounts, 40 groups, and 25 Instagram accounts that engaged in “coordinated inauthentic behavior.” According to Facebook’s investigation, Gabunada’s team spent close to P3 million on the fake account network.
“The individuals behind this activity used a combination of authentic and fake accounts to disseminate content across a variety of pages and groups. They frequently posted about local and political news, including topics like the upcoming elections, candidate updates and views, alleged misconduct of political opponents, and controversial events that were purported to occur during previous administrations,” said Nathaniel Gleicher, head of cybersecurity policy of Facebook, in a blog post.
Following the release of these pieces of information after getting hired by the DOF, Tongol said Gabunada will now explore his legal options as his next move.
Gabunada clarified he has yet to sign the contract awarded by the DOF, which could give him as much as P909,000 in just six months.
“Both parties can still get out of the engagement if the details of the terms of engagement are not agreeable to both parties. Details are still to be discussed and I have not received any document containing it yet,” said Gabunada in a statement.
(Kiko Demigillo/PM)
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