What was meant to be a festive business venture has become the center of a political and legal clash, drawing attention from Cebu City’s local government and business communities.
Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. on Friday, December 19, held a press conference to address a cyberlibel case filed against him in Marawi City, calling the situation “disturbing” amid the Christmas season.
“Disturbing in the sense nga pasko pero nakawadat mi ug kaso, murag akong tan-aw usa ka kaso nga gigamit para pag-gukod, murag gadumot ni siya particularly nako, sa akong fiscalizing efforts sa city,” Alcover said.
He expressed concern that the case could serve as a warning to other councilors scrutinizing city projects.
Alcover clarified that while he intends to respond to the complaint, he views the legal action as harassment.
“Mura ba ug hadlokon na ang mga konsehal nga ‘Ayaw na mo ug tingog kay ug mutingog mo, kasohan mo,’” he said.
The cyberlibel complaint was filed by Ibrahim “Mark” Ala Dianalan, Jr., a businessman from Marawi City who organized the Colon Street Night Market through the Participative Association of Sugbo Vendors Incorporated (PASVI).
Dianalan alleges that Alcover made false and malicious online posts attacking his character and questioning his ability to operate the night market.
“Before operating the Night Market in Colon Street, I complied with the requirements and paid the fees imposed by the Cebu City Government. I also secured the support of the Sanggunian Panlungsod for the Night Market after they approved my request for the closure of Colon Street through their unanimous approval of Resolution No. 17-0588-2025,” in his affidavit, Dianalan stated.
Dianalan maintains that despite following all proper procedures and obtaining permits, Alcover publicly criticized the night market online, which he claims damaged his reputation.
Alcover, however, defended his actions as part of his oversight role.
He cited his opposition to the night market’s setup without approval from the City Council and GASA board, claiming Mayor Nestor Archival directly negotiated with Dianalan without proper authorization.
“Mao na iyang gihimo, sa panahon nga siyay fiscalizer, minority, siyays gitawag nga samokan pero walay moreklamo kay mao nay papel sa fiscalizer. Pero karon nga ako nay sabaan, masuko na siya,” Alcover said, referring to the mayor’s alleged reaction to his scrutiny of city projects.
When asked about Archival’s involvement, Alcover said he is not directly accusing the mayor but implied the mayor is aware of the contract with Dianalan, which he believes connects the mayor indirectly to the case.
In a separate statement, Archival denied any personal involvement, saying:
“Unsaon pag ako’y complainant nga siya may nagdaot ni Mark. Wa gyud. Siya may nagdaot. Wa. Iya manag comments respetaran na nato. Ako kung naa ko libel case, diretso ko niya… I will be the one to file,” the mayor said.
The cyberlibel case adds another layer to ongoing disputes surrounding the Colon Street Night Market.
Earlier, Alcover filed criminal and administrative complaints against Mayor Archival, City Treasurer Emma Villarete, and City Administrator Albert Tan at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, citing alleged illegal operations of the night market.
Alcover’s October 29 complaint argued that allowing a private group to manage Colon Street constituted “illegal conversion of a public street into a private business,” depriving the city of rightful revenues. (LLP)
