Tionko says no malice in words about Rama

CEBU, Philippines - James Philip Tionko has filed a counter-affidavit before the city prosecutor’s office to deny the allegations of Mayor Michael Rama that he made libelous statements against the mayor at the height of the campaign period.

Rama filed a libel case against Tionko last April 28.

“There is no truth to the accusation of Rama that I maliciously imputed an act against him which would dishonor him or his family. The truth of the matter is that the utterance I made which the complainant believes to be injurious to his name was made in the course of my campaign against him in his bid for mayor of Cebu City,” Tionko’s affidavit reads.

Tionko ran for councilor in Cebu City as an independent candidate, but lost.

Tionko said the allegations that Rama is a “drug lord protector” did not originate from him. He reasoned that he based his campaign against Rama on printed reports that reportedly point to former mayor and South District Congressman Tomas Osmeña as the one who called Rama as such.

He said it was his legal, moral, and social duty as a voter to campaign against anyone who runs for public office “by divulging what he may have done in the past and make it known to the people.”

“In an election, you are subject to public scrutiny… the public must know if you are morally upright to lead the citizenry,” Tionko said.

Meanwhile, Tionko questioned why Rama did not include in his complaint the sources of the alleged libelous statement.

“What bothers me most is that the complainant never filed any case for libel against the sources from which I got my information which are the printed media, the internet sites and the radio stations which aired the same,” Tionko said.

Tionko reiterated that his statement at a press conference at the Casino Español last April 21, which described Rama as alleged protector of Crisostomo “Tata Negro” Llaguno was said without malice. He, however, said charges and counter-charges are “normal” during elections.

Llaguno also ran for Cebu City councilor, but he was shot dead before the May 10 polls.Rama, in his complaint against Tionko, said the issue is getting into his and his family’s “bone and flesh.” — THE FREEMAN