Prosecutor: People’s Journal maliciously maligned Odong

Quezon City- The Office of the City Prosecutor found substantial evidence to pursue the libel complaint filed by Congressman Aniceto Saludo, Jr. against the People’s Journal’s publisher, editor-in-chief, and the writer of who authored the article that allegedly carried malicious imputations against Saludo.

In a 10-page resolution, Quezon City Prosecutor Claro Arellano stated that after carefully assessing the evidence presented by both parties, he finds existence of probable cause in the complaint filed by Saludo against People’s Journal publisher Teodoro Berbano, editor-in-chief Benjamin Defensor and writer Tita Valderama. 

The resolution stated that the article “Extorting for Text Giants” authored by Valderama, which was published in the September 5, 2001 issue of the said tabloid, was libelous.  It averred that the said article was meant to convey that the complainant is a member of the so-called “Gang of Five” which received money from Smart and Globe in an attempt to slow down an inquiry into the telecommunications companies’ reduction of free text credits of their subscribers. 

“The article, especially the headline imputed disparaging qualities and impeach the good name, honesty, virtue, credit and reputation of the complainant who is a public officer and is an offense actionable.  The subject article is libelous because it imputes acts and circumstances that cause the dishonor, discredit and contempt of the complainant”, the resolution said.

The resolution further countered that “the publication was not made in good faith because as admitted by Valderama, she submitted her article without first getting the side of the complainant.  Such imputation was so malicious considering that the complainant is a member of the House of Representatives conducing investigations on anomalies and now being accused of extorting money.”

Valderama earlier invoked her right not to reveal the source of her information as provided under RA 53 but the prosecutor argued against her by saying that “respondents cannot hide behind the claim that their article came from reliable sources.  Anybody who wants to destroy the reputation of another can just say her/his information came from a very reliable source.

“Prudence dictates that an investigation should have been conducted by Valderama to verify the veracity of her information,” the resolution further stated.

(Released on March 28, 2003)