1 down, 1 to go: Gwen withdraws libel case vs. Leo

CEBU, Philippines - Emotions filled the court room yesterday as Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her bitter critic from media, Leo Lastimosa, decided to cooperate and leave personal bickering behind after more than 30 minutes in a closed door conference with Regional Trial Court judge Geraldine Faith Econg.

This resulted to the dismissal of the libel case that the local chief executive has filed against Lastimosa for a column that he wrote for The Freeman.

Econg dismissed the case after the two parties acknowledged during a court initiated mediation that the filing of the case was “borne out of misunderstanding and misappreciation of facts.”

After emerging from the chamber conference, Econg, declared before the supporters and friends of both parties, who were waiting inside the courtroom that a settlement has been reached.

Among the prominent persons, who attended the supposed pre-trial conference of the case, were Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung and former provincial board member Josefina Magpale Asirit, who is now Lastimosa’s co-host in his Arangkada radio program.

Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas Cebu Chapter president Carlo Duga-Duga was also present and several radio listeners of Lastimosa.

Before the judge issued the order in open court dismissing the case, she allowed the parties to make a brief discourse.

Lastimosa stood up first and boldly admitted that he has gone too much in his attacks to the governor.

“Ako willing nga mosulti nga nasobrahan ra ang frequency ug ang vehements sa akong mga ataki,” Lastimosa said.

Lastimosa explained that the intensity of his attacks against the governor was “exacerbated” by his feeling that he was denied of his right to access the bidding documents of the project.

Lastimosa said he felt he was denied of his right to know when Garcia made a public accounting at the Capitol and he was allegedly not invited.

But, Lastimosa said it was just a miscommunication because he learned from the governor that he was invited.

The invitation was sent to him thru The Freeman, but because he does not report to The Freeman office, the invitation did not reach him.

Lastimosa said he was just doing his job in good faith and never had an intention to hurt the governor and her family.

Lastimosa assured Garcia that he never imputed anything malicious against her. He said he does not have any political interest nor did he allow himself to be used by political forces against the governor.

“Akong pasaligan si Gobernador Garcia nga sukad kaniadto hangtud karon wa gyud ko mamasangil,” Lastimosa added.

According to him, he merely asked for an accounting of the expenses in the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center.

Lastimosa said that to prove his good faith he is willing to cooperate and work with the governor. In fact, he said they have already started this cooperation thru a backyard gardening project that his company has initiated.

“Tingali ang mga kontra sa gobernador moingon nga nahalin na ko but I am willing to work with any government agency to give hope to the people,” Lastimosa said.

The governor on the other hand said that like any other persons who feel that their reputation have been maligned, she went to court to seek redress.

She declared before the court that she and her family were very much hurt by the series of columns of Lastimosa.

Garcia said that since she does not resort to any other means, like going around to kill journalists, she filed a case in court.

However, the governor said she realized the great power and responsibility bestowed on her.

Picking up from Lastimosa’s line of giving people the hope amidst the world crisis by cooperating with the government, Garcia said she also want to send the message of hope to the people to rise above the adversities.

“We shall move on, we shall cooperate in progress that will bring more benefit to our people,” Garcia said.

“I hope others will follow suit,” she added.

Since Lastimosa lamented that he felt being denied of access to the governor, Garcia declared that she will now be accessible. In fact, Garcia and Lastimosa immediately exchanged cell phone numbers.

In closing her emotional discourse that almost sent some people in the audience, including Lastimosa to tears, Garcia quoted the biblical passage, “to err is human but to forgive is divine.”

At this juncture, the audience could not help but clap their hands prompting Econg to say that under the court rules clapping of hands is not allowed.

She explained that anybody caught doing it could be cited for contempt of court.

However, Econg said she understands the overwhelming emotions inside the courtroom which moved her to be lenient and tolerant yesterday.

Lastimosa admitted he almost burst in tears while listening to the governor’s speech because he was moved by her accepting his explanation without demanding for an apology.

“Na-touch ko ni governor nga wa gyud siya mo-demand og apology,” Lastimosa said.

According to him, he felt relieved and happy by the agreement that resulted to the dismissal of the case.

But, Lastimosa vowed to continue demanding for an accounting of the expenses of the CICC. Lastimosa said he now hopes that the documents are already accessible.

Despite the dismissal however Lastimosa and Garcia will still have to face in court in another libel case. One more libel case is still pending in court against Lastimosa because of another column in The Freeman entitled “Doling Kawatan.”

What was dismissed yesterday only pertains to his column “Paugat ni Gwen” which also saw print in The Freeman. – /NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)