Talisay Prosecutors Office OKs libel rap vs tabloid
BACOLOD CITY — Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office recently issued a joint resolution finding probable cause in criminal cases for libel against respondents Erwin Ambo S. Delilan, Editor-in-chief of the local tabloid Agila, and Ma. Teresa O. Lejano, Business Marketing Head, for publishing the column named “Kuting kuting just asking” which allegedly humiliated and destroyed the name of Romy Niere, convenor of the Save Bacolod Movement.
The subject column stated that Niere was allegedly given by Mayor Evelio Leonardia at least 10 casual employees, which allegedly are all ghosts, and P70,000 monthly salary as Convenor of the Save Bacolod Movement.
As cited in a joint resolution, Talisay City Prosecutors Office said that the column “Kuting kuting just asking” was published to cause dishonor, discredit and injure the reputation of the complainant, Niere.
“After a careful examination and evaluation of the evidence adduced, the undersigned is of the opinion that the issues of November 6-7, 2009 and the November 11, 2009 issues of the Agila published by respondents contained malicious and defamatory statements against the person of the complainant who is a businessman, broadcaster and one of the convenors of the Save Bacolod Movement.”
It appears, however, that the author of “Kuting-kuting just asking column” was not specified, nonetheless, under Article 360 of the Revised Penal Code, the editor or business manager of the daily newspaper magazine or serial publication shall be responsible for the defamations contained therein to the same extent as if he were the author thereof. Accordingly, Erwin Ambo Delilan, editor in chief and Ma. Teresa Lejano, business marketing head of Agila are the probable authors of the crime,” the joint resolution said.
On the other hand, respondent Delilan said that the complaint of Romeo C. Niere arising from the contents of the column “Kuting kuting just asking” do not show of any derogatory statements to warrant the complaint. Earlier, Delilan denied the insinuations and the unfounded statements of the complainant that the contents of the said column were done with dishonest purpose, evil desire or ulterior purpose to do him wrong causing damage to his person. Lejano also said that she had nothing to do with the editorial contents of the publication and therefore has no basis of including her in the said indictment.
