(CMFR/IFEX) – Acting on libel suits filed by Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on 16 October 2006 a Manila court issued arrest warrants against the publisher and several of the staff members, including a former senator, of the national newspaper “Malaya”. In a resolution released early on 16 October, Judge Silvino Pampilo […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – Acting on libel suits filed by Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on 16 October 2006 a Manila court issued arrest warrants against the publisher and several of the staff members, including a former senator, of the national newspaper “Malaya”.
In a resolution released early on 16 October, Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. of the Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 26, ordered the arrest of publisher Amado Macasaet; editors Enrique Romualdez, Joy de los Reyes, Ma. Teresa Molina, and Minnie Advincula; reporters Ellen Tordesillas, JP Lopez and Regina Bengco; and columnist Francisco Tatad.
Bail of P10,000 (approx. US$200) for each of the accused was paid, according to Tordesillas, who was reinstated as a respondent after being dropped earlier in the case.
Arroyo’s complaint stemmed from a 19 May 2004 column written by Tatad, a former senator, accusing the presidential spouse of manipulating the 2004 presidential elections for his wife, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. “Malaya” also published portions of Tatad’s columns in its news reports in May 2006.
Malaya’s stories alleged that First Gentleman Arroyo, with the help of military personnel and government officials, bought certificates of canvass throughout the country, especially in Mindanao. In his libel complaint, Arroyo denied the allegation and insisted that he was in Manila at the time of the elections.
In recent months, Arroyo has filed at least 10 libel suits against 43 journalists. Philippine media organisations deplored the filing of the cases, saying these were aimed at creating a “chilling effect” on the press.
Arroyo is seeking a total of P70 million (approx. US$1.4 million) in moral damages through the libel suits.
More than 600 journalists and 30 local and foreign media organisations, including CMFR, have supported a joint petition drafted by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines calling for the decriminalization of libel in the country.
This alert was prepared with reports from http://www.GMANews.tv
