Court dismisses libel case vs. Guardo

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court has dismissed the libel case filed by Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña against businessman Jonathan Guardo.

RTC Branch 18 Judge Gilbert Moises yesterday granted the joint Motion to Dismiss filed by both Osmeña and Guardo. The joint motion was filed after the two reached a compromise agreement on the civil aspect of the case executed earlier at the Mediation Center.

“Considering that it bears the consent and approval of the resident prosecutor Ricky Jones Macabaya and the Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon and appears to be in the order, the joint motion to dismiss is granted and two cases for libel are hereby dismissed,” Moises’ order reads.

Moises also ordered to release the cash Guardo had posted as bail.

During the fourth hearing of the case, Guardo publicly apologized to Osmeña and the City of Cebu for his malicious statements during the campaign period in last year’s national and local elections. Osmeña subsequently accepted the apology.

“The public apology of Guardo is enough,” Osmeña said.

Guardo had alleged that City Hall harassed him.

“They removed my boards, prevented me from entering Barangay gyms, deprived opposition Barangays of gasoline allowances, stopped Cogon Pardo’s medical mission and now this Calamba incident,” Guardo was quoted by a local newspaper on January 10 and 11.

At that time, Guardo was running against Osmeña for congressman. (FREEMAN)