So when, Shiwen?
Vlogger-turned-board member Shiwen Lim is now weaponizing the law as if he were the victim.
Lim, who is facing allegations of large-scale estafa, has filed a complaint against CLTV36, SunStar Pampanga, and other local media entities in the province, citing violations of his privacy.
The complaint alleged that members of the press disclosed his personal details indicated in his warrant of arrest—the same personal details that are already available in a public document: the Certificate of Candidacy.
Did the vlogger forget that he ran for and is now elected to public office? Did he not recall submitting his COC and even posing for a photo op?
But these are not the biggest questions. The more pressing one is: SO WHEN, SHIWEN?
Lim has openly admitted, several times in interviews with CLTV36, that he has obligations to fulfill to individuals who entrusted him with their hard-earned money through his so-called “investment scheme.”
On August 13, ten complainants sought the help of the provincial government to go after the third district provincial board member. They alleged that 78 more individuals invested in his business venture, amounting to ₱35 million. They claimed that Lim has yet to give their shares in revenues, as well as the capital they handed to the official.
That same day, the Sheriff of the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 155 of Taguig City served a writ of execution requiring Lim to pay ₱435,538 plus ₱8,556 in court costs to Zyneserve, Inc.—the manpower provider for Umpukan Restaurant, which Lim once owned and operated. That day, the company claimed that he has yet to pay for their services.
As if already having an idea about the arrival of the complainants, Shiwen Lim did not attend the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session also scheduled on August 13.
On September 29, 19 individuals formally filed charges against Lim before the City Prosecutor’s Office in connection with large-scale estafa.
While the vlogger-turned-politician has promised to pay his obligations, he repeatedly excused himself from accountability by citing bankruptcy.
Now that cases have been filed, he is attempting to silence the media in order to protect his image, still admired by his dwindling followers.
Let us remind Shiwen Lim that more than being a vlogger, he is now a public official—duty-bound to serve the people’s interests.
Antagonizing the media for simply reporting facts reveals not only his insincerity to his investors but also his failure to uphold responsibility to his entire constituency.
The question remains: So when, Shiwen?
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