Lastimosa libel case witness: Doling refers to Garcia

CEBU, Philippines -Former provincial environment and natural resources officer Glenn Baricuatro testified in court to support the libel case filed by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia against veteran broadcaster and columnist Leo Lastimosa.

Baricuatro said that as a newspaper reader he knew that Lastimosa referred to Garcia in his column, “Si Doling Kawatan”.According to Baricuatro, the accused is known for his being vocal critic of the governor.Baricuatro said it was very clear that Lastimosa was alluding to Garcia because he mentioned the position of the governor.

“I believed the name Doling was referred to the governor,” Baricuatro told the court.

Baricuatro, who is a cousin of Garcia, said that after reading the article written by Lastimosa he volunteered himself to testify in court if the governor will file a case.

Baricuatro was the second witness presented by the prosecution against Lastimosa.

Lawyer Celso Espinosa, counsel for Lastimosa, asked Baricuatro if he was able to read in the article the name of Garcia. Baricuatro said that although there was no mention about Garcia but the character of Doling in the article was clearly referred to the governor.

But Espinosa said Baricuatro was only presuming that Doling was Garcia. According to Espinosa, Doling in the article was a fish monger and not a governor.

Espinosa asked Baricuatro if Garcia was a fish monger before but the witness said he does not know.

Lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda said they still have two more witnesses to present against Lastimosa.

Garcia accused Lastimosa of libel after she felt alluded to in the article published in The FREEMAN on June 29, 2007. — (FREEMAN)