Manila:Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida announced on Thursday that his office will investigate potential procedural lapses in the handling of a libel case against veteran journalist and author Philip Lustre Jr.

According to Philippines News agency, Vida expressed concern over the situation and stated that his office is gathering all relevant evidence and circumstances. A specific office within the Department of Justice is tasked with this validation process. Vida emphasized the importance of protecting respondents and questioned whether due diligence was exercised by the prosecutors in handling the case, including whether the correct address was used in communications.

Lustre, aged 72, was arrested on October 24 at a news forum in Quezon City. The arrest was executed by local police based on a warrant issued by the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 10. The cyber libel complaint was filed by Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. Lustre's lawyer alleges that the journalist was not given the opportunity to respond to the charges due to subpoenas being sent to an incorrect address.

Lustre, who also wrote the book "Kill, Kill, Kill," which discusses alleged extrajudicial killings during former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's war on drugs, was released on temporary liberty after posting PHP48,000 bail.