A tattoo artist in Lapu-Lapu City faces five counts of cyberlibel.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan has sued 45-year-old Humprey Elvira who identifies himself to be a staunch political critic.

Mayor Chan filed the cases at the City Prosecutor’s Office on October 31, 2024.

Chan said while he understands that criticisms are part of his life as a public servant, he could not bear Elvira's attacks anymore. He said that Elvira’s criticisms have gone below the belt.

According to Chan, he tried to reach out to Elvira to listen to any of his recommendations on how the tattoo artist could possibly help him run the city efficiently. But Elvira has pursued alleged personal attacks upon him on social media, Chan added.

Chan sued Elvira for his alleged defamatory posts on September 1, 3, and 19; and on October 8 and 9.

Chan surmised that Elvira is being supported by a political opponent.

Meanwhile, Elvira pointed out that as a political critic he raised complaints at how Chan has managed the city but not on his personal life.

Elvira said that because he is not a member of any media outfit he is not obliged to get the side of the person he has criticized through his social media posts.

He emphasized that though he is a supporter of a certain Ryan Yuson who aspires for the congressional post of the Lone District of Lapu-Lapu City in the 2025 polls, he has not been hired to criticize Chan.

Elvira further said that he has always been a political critic and that he even did criticize the administration that preceded Chan’s. However, this is the first time that a politician filed cases against him.

In the 2022 elections, Elvira was an independent candidate for city councilor, while in 2023, he sought a seat at the barangay council in Canjulao.

He said that he was offered by the opposition to aspire for an elective position again in 2025 but he declined, saying he would rather remain a political critic.

Elvira further said he is prepared to answer the allegations raised against him by the mayor.