P1-M libel suit filed vs. 2 radio blocktimers

The two radio blocktimers who were earlier caught in an entrapment operation for alleged extortion are facing more problems after the government official whom they accused of being a swindler yesterday filed a P1 million libel suit against them.

Philippine Reclamation Authority director Elberto Emphasis filed the complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office against Reynante Cortes and Lito "Bingbong" Solon based on their recorded commentaries aired over Bantay Radyo last September 14.

Emphasis said the two accused him of being a swindler in their commentaries.

"Unya hulga-hulgaon ang mga smugglers, mga importers nga naa ra ba koy bosing. So, kining kanahang dako, di lang kay mangingilad ni si Bert Emphasis, ngilngig intawn nig racket uy," Emphasis quoted Cortes' alleged commentary.

Emphasis said that Solon accused him of being involved in rice and tiles smuggling.

"Mao man nang tarantar, paingon sa pagka-buang kay gumikan nga naanad na man gud nig sige ug dawat, sige ug palusot gikan sa rice smuggling, tiles, mga kaigsoonan, dupa-dupa sa mga smugglers," Solon reportedly said.

According to Emphasis, such utterances were tainted with malice tended to dishonor and discredit him. Emphasis said the two blocktimers were prompted by an ulterior motive to extort money from him.

Emphasis added that the commentaries against him were also engendered by personal ill-will and vengeance because he filed a complaint against Solon and Cortes before the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas for viciously attacking him in their program.

Cortes and Solon were caught in an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation last September 29 after receiving the P20,000 marked money from Emphasis. - Fred P. Languido