ABS-CBN chairman, journalists post bail for libel

ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio 'Gabby' Lopez III and several current and former news personnel posted bail on Monday in connection with a 9-year-old libel case filed by rival station, GMA Network.

A Quezon City Regional Trial Court had issued arrest warrants against Lopez, Erwin Tulfo, Lynda Jumilla, Beth Frondoso, Maria Progena Estonillo Reyes, Annie Eugenio, Dondi Garcia, Luis Alejandro, Jose Ramon Olives, Jesus Maderazo, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Jose Magsaysay Jr. and Alfonso Marquez.

Tulfo, Frondoso, Alejandro, Cruz-Valdes, Magsaysay Jr. and Marquez are no longer with ABS-CBN.

In a press statement, Bong R. Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Integrated Corporate Communications, said "the respondents to the libel case have voluntarily surrendered to the court and posted bail in accordance with law. They nevertheless firmly maintain that the libel charge has no basis in fact and law."

The case stems from a complaint filed by GMA Network in 2004 after ABS-CBN accused its rival of using without permission, exclusive footage of the arrival in the Philippines of overseas Filipino worker Angelo dela Cruz following his release by Iraqi militants.

GMA Network used the exclusive video of dela Cruz which it obtained from the foreign news agency, Reuters. Reuters bought the video from ABS-CBN with the understanding that it would not be used by other media organizations in the Philippines.

Osorio said on Monday, "In truth, it was the complainant who used ABS-CBN footage without its authority and consent and was thus charged by ABS-CBN with copyright infringement."

"It is unfortunate that the respondents are being pilloried as criminals, when in fact, it was ABS-CBN whose rights were violated. They are confident that this libel suit will eventually be dismissed," Osorio said.

Atty. Regis Puno, counsel for ABS-CBN, said that the network has a pending petition with the Court of Appeals questioning the Department of Justice's (DOJ) resolution that found probable cause against the accused.

Puno said it was unfortunate that the DOJ proceeded to file the charges in court.

"Itong pangyayaring ito ay 2004 pa, magsa-sampung taon na. Imbes na hintayin muna ang katapusan ng mga proseso at mga pagdinig ng Court of Appeals at Supreme Court ay sinampahan na nila ng libel. Pero hindi naman sinampahan ng tinatawag nating copyright infringement," Puno said.

Osorio said "the respondents will avail themselves of all legal remedies to question the findings of probable cause for the arrest warrants issued by the RTC of Quezon City."

Lopez retired from ABS-CBN last December but stays on the board as chairman.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Sharon's petition vs Bandera editors junked

The Supreme Court (SC) reinstated the ruling of a Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) that dismissed the libel case filed by singer-actress Sharon Cuneta against the editor and associate editor of tabloid newspaper, Bandera.

In a 19-page decision by the 3rd Division penned by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta released to the media on Thursday, the high court reversed the Court of Appeals (CA) in giving the green light for the lower court to push through with the trial of Lito Bautista and Jimmy Alcantara.

The high court ruled that the actress “took a procedural misstep, and the view she is advancing is erroneous” because it should have been the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), not her, who should have appealed the lower court's decision. The high court said the petition before the appellate court should have been dismissed on this basis alone.

“[I]n criminal cases, the acquittal of the accused or the dismissal of the case against him can only be appealed by the Solicitor-General, acting on behalf of the State…The capability of the private complainant to question such dismissal or acquittal is limited only to the civil aspect of the case.

“Respondent [Cuneta] lacked the personality or legal standing to question the trial court’s order because it is only the OSG who can bring actions on behalf of the State in criminal proceedings, before the Supreme Court and CA," the decision read.

The high court pointed out that the petition filed before the appellate court questioned the criminal aspect of the RTC order, not its civil aspect.

Cuneta sued Bautista, Alcantara and writer Pete Ampoloquio for an article written by Ampoloquio for Bandera in 2001. Cuneta alleged that the article maligned her reputation by claiming that she had treated a supporter of her husband, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, badly.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Cristine reiterates apology to Ara, asks public to withhold judgment

Cristine Reyes reiterated her apology to Ara Mina on Wednesday after the public apology she issued in a live interview on “The Buzz” on Sunday had failed to appease her elder half-sister.

“Sana magkaayos na kami ni Ate. Medyo matagal na po ang issue at marami nang nadamay. Kaya nagpapakumbaba na po ako para humingi ng tawad sa ate ko,” the actress said in a statement.

Ara filed charges of libel and grave coercion against Cristine in April after receiving a series of offensive text messages from Cristine over a financial dispute involving the sharing of payment for a property they had bought for their mother.

Ara had told media that she filed the case to teach Cristine a lesson and only a sincere public apology from the latter would make her withdraw it.

On Monday, Ara questioned the sincerity of Cristine’s apology on “The Buzz” and said she did not see enough remorse to reconsider her case.

Cristine, whose full name is Ara Marie Cristine Reyes, said she is very sorry that their feud has gotten out of hand.

“Nakakalungkot pong isipin na lumaki ng ganito ang misunderstanding namin ni Ate,” she said. “Nung una pa lang gusto ko nang mapag-usapan namin ang issue para makapag-explain at magkaintindihan.”

Cristine said she has sent several text messages to Ara requesting for a private meeting so she can apologize personally.

Cristine said Ara has not responded to any of them. ”Hindi pa po siguro siya handa na makipag-meet sa akin in private para subukang maayos ang mga bagay-bagay,” she surmised.

Nevertheless, Cristine remains hopeful that the feud will be resolved amicably soon. She also expressed remorse for hurting other members of her family who have been caught in the crossfire, especially their mother.

“Sorry na may ibang mga taong nasaktan at patuloy na nasasaktan dahil sa conflict,” she said.

Cristine is aware of the negative public perception the controversy has brought upon her. She is appealing for understanding and asking people to withhold their judgment until the issue has been resolved.

“Nakakalungkot na may humuhusga na sa akin, lalo na sa pagiging sincere ko. Wala naman po sigurong tao ang ayaw na nagkakasundo ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay, lalo na ang sariling pamilya,” she said.

source: interaksyon.com

Ara not buying Cristine’s ‘insincere’ apology, won’t withdraw libel case

Ara Mina says she found the public apology Cristine Reyes issued on “The Buzz” on Sunday lacking in remorse and sincerity.

It won’t move her to withdraw the libel and grave coercion suit she filed against her half-sister in April over allegedly vulgar text messages Cristine had sent her during Holy Week.

“Ang sabi ko noon, ang kailangan niya lang gawin eh mag-public apology. Pero public apology na totoo sa loob niya,” Ara told Interaksyon.com on Monday.

“Gusto ko lang siyang matuto sa kasalukuyang mga pangyayari. Eh mukhang hindi pa rin niya ito natututunan,” the 32-year-old actress added.

“I’m sorry, and I would like to apologize if I ever offended you,” Cristine addressed Ara in her interview with “The Buzz” host Boy Abunda. “I tried my best na pumunta sa ‘yo…Sinabi ko pa sa ‘yo, kung gusto mo, luluhod ako sa harapan mo. Sana lumambot na ang puso mo sa akin para maayos na itong gulo. Para sa pamilya natin, sa ikatatahimik ng pamilya nation.”

The 23-year-old Viva talent admitted she was holding back emotions to avoid a breakdown. “Ayokong ilabas ang emosyon ko dito. Kasi gusto kong maging positive sa life,” she said.

Judging by most reactions in the social media, Cristine not only failed to move Ara, she failed to touch the public as well. Messages from followers of Ara’s Twitter account said as much.

Ara retweeted some quotes sent to her, such as this one from British statesman Benjamin Disraeli: “One of the hardest things in this world is to admit you are wrong. And nothing is more helpful in resolving a situation than its frank admission.”

Ara forwarded another tweet to this reporter with her comment in the end: “When things aren’t working out as you wish, be patient. Stop trying to move ahead of God. His timing is perfect. Trust Him. Sus! Apology na ba ‘yun, Tita Pi?”

Ara vowed to issue an official statement this week, but she said that she hasn’t changed her mind about the cases she filed against Cristine.

She is sticking to her conviction that she is out to teach her younger sister a lesson in manners and gratitude.

“Sinabi ko rin before na mahal ko siya bilang kapatid ko. Sinabi ko rin naman na ayaw ko siyang makulong kaya ang sa akin lang eh ‘yung mabigyan siya ng pang-habangbuhay na leksyon.

“Sabi ko rin, anumang sugat eh napaghihilom ng panahon. Subalit ang pagpapatawad eh ibinibigay lang sa mga taong nagsisisi at humihingi ng tawad,” Ara said.

Ara also clarified that it was not only she who was hurt by Cristine.

“Sana humingi din siya ng paumanhin sa mga taong idinamay niya. Bottom line rin nito eh ‘yung mga tao’ng nasagasaan niya sa ginawa niya. Mahirap talaga ‘yung iba ang sinasabi sa ginagawa,” she said.

Ara considers herself semi-retired from show business, although she accepts offers to do shows abroad occasionally. ”Kaya nga I enrolled sa cooking class para mas harapin ko na lang uli ang pagbi-business in the future. And at the end of this month, graduation na namin ng mga kasama ko sa cooking class,” she shared.

She spends her spare time keeping in shape through bikram yoga “and bonding with family and friends who matter.”

She and Cristine have not met face to face since Holy Week when their dispute over a financial matter provoked Cristine to send the offensive text messages that Ara continues to resent.

A few weeks ago, she and Cristine were both invited to the wedding of their sister Heidi. Ara, however, could not attend because she was in Dubai for a series of shows.

“So hindi pa rin itinatadhana na magkita kami ng face to face. I don’t really know kung ano ang mangyayari, kung ano ang masasabi ko. Ang sa akin lang, magpakatotoo na lang for once! ‘Wag na ‘yang mga kailangan pa bang lumuhod or whatever. Alam natin hindi naman ‘yun mangyayari, right?”

article source: interaksyon.com

Pacman slaps GenSan journalist with P75 M libel suit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines -- Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao has filed a P75-million libel case against a news correspondent here over a controversy involving the alleged sale of a stolen car by one of his close associates.

The alleged dealer, Mohammad “Bong” Aquia, former chief of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Region 12 or Central Mindanao, also filed a separate P18-million libel complaint against freelance journalist Edwin Espejo, who mainly writes for online site Asian Correspondent.

Pacquiao’s counsel filed the charges against Espejo before the City Prosecutor’s Office late Monday afternoon.

Espejo is former editor-in-chief of the defunct Sun Star daily General Santos and also contributes for the Davao-based news service MindaNews, Sun Star Davao and the Mindanao Times.

He is also chairman of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines’ South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City chapter.

Pacquiao’s case stemmed from recent articles of Espejo, which appeared at online news outfits Asian Correspondent and MindaNews, as well as in Eurasia Review, which reposted the Asian Correspondent story.

The boxing champion’s complaint cites Espejo for three counts of libel and sought P20 million in exemplary damages and another P5 million in attorney’s fees for each count.

However, none of the complaints cited the news sites on which Espejo’s articles were posted.

On Asian Correspondent, the piece was entitled, “Stolen car dealer finds refuge in Pacman mansion,” while MindaNews titled it “Dealer of stolen cars last seen in Pacman mansion."

In his articles, Espejo cited a February 26 report on www.journal.com.ph that said Aquia was about to be arrested by police at the General Santos airport but evaded the arresting officers by approaching Pacquiao, who had just arrived on a commercial flight from Manila, and boarding the boxing champion’s vehicle.

“Reports said Akia (sic) accompanied Pacquiao in the latter’s residence and has not been seen since,” Espejo quoted the Journal report as saying.

In an earlier press statement, the Philippine National Police said Aquia has been charged with violation of Republic Act 6539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act.

The case was filed after the Highway Patrol Group arrested a village official here for possession of a stolen Hyundai Starex van.

The village official identified Aquia as the source of the “hot car” that was allegedly stolen from a businessman in Angeles City and replaced with a license plate registered to showbiz celebrity Luis Manzano, the PNP statement said.

In his articles, Espejo wrote that Pacquiao could not be reached for comment because he is “in the US promoting his June 9 fight against American Timothy Bradley.”

Instead, Espejo wrote, he talked to Pacquiao lawyer Francisco Gacal, who said he was not aware Aquia was in the boxing champion’s residence.

“Knowing Congressman (Pacquiao) and Jinky (Paquiao’s wife), they do not allow Gensan (General Santos) guests to stay in their mansion,” Gacal was quoted as saying by Espejo.

He added that the lawyer also said he would inform Pacquiao about the report.

In the Mindanews report, Espejo also cited a statement by PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome about the busting of Aquia’s alleged syndicate, which he described as a “well-entrenched car theft ring” buying stolen motor vehicles in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and transporting them to Mindanao where they are given fraudulent Land Transportation Office registration papers and license plates.

In his affidavit of complaint, Pacquiao said he was informed about Espejo’s articles by his public information officer, Rosemarie Tamayo and, on reading them, “I was shocked and stunned to know the accusations against me made by the author, especially as the author made repeated mention of my name and portrayed me to be harboring a suspected carnapper.”

Pacquiao claimed Espejo “has intentionally and maliciously dragged my name to cause dishonor and discredit to my reputation and public image …”

He also claimed that the articles “caused me enormous shock and awe resulting to countless sleepless nights, distress and wounded feelings. It virtually tarnished my reputation in the public.”

In his own complaint, Aquia sought P10 million in moral damages, P5 million in exemplary damages and P3 million in attorney’s fees for the “enormous shock and awe resulting to sleepless nights and besmirched reputation.

source: interaksyon.com