Apology clears 2 radiomen of libel

The Regional Trial Court has dismissed the libel case against radio blocktimers Lito Solon and Reynante Cortes after former presidential liaison officer Elberto “Bert” Emphasis accepted their apology.

Judge Estela Alma Singco of RTC Branch 12 dismissed the case against Solon and Cortes after Emphasis withdrew his complaint following the apology the respondents made in open court last week.

Cortes, while all smiles yesterday, refused to comment on the dismissal.

Emphasis had sued the two radio blocktimers for libel and even had them arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in an entrapment operation because of alleged extortion.

Emphasis said Cortes and Solon called him a “swindler” and “smuggler” in their radio program over dyDD Bantay Radyo two years ago. Emphasis specifically complained of the commentaries the two made against him in their program “Engkwentro” morning of September 14, 2006.

During the said broadcast, Cortes and Solon reportedly branded Emphasis a “swindler” and a “boastful man.” They also reportedly said that Emphasis was stripped of his several government positions because of his “foolishness.”

The same broadcast likewise called Emphasis “insane” and was allegedly doing “bad business” at the Bureau of Customs by allegedly “accepting money and protecting smugglers.” — Fred P. Languido/JMO