KBP backs Lastimosa

CEBU, Philippines - The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Cebu chapter is rallying behind colleague and The Freeman’s columnist, Leo Lastimosa, who was found guilty of libel case filed by former governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.

KBP Cebu chapter president Marlon Baula pronounced that the conviction of Lastimosa cannot stop them, the broadcasters, from doing their job.

“We in the KBP, we respect the decision of the court. As colleague and as a friend of Lastimosa we are behind him,” said Baula in a phone interview.

On Friday, Judge Raphael Yrastorza Sr. found Lastimosa guilty beyond reasonable doubt and ordered him to pay a fine of P6,000. Aside from fine, he was likewise, ordered to pay P2 million in  moral damages to Garcia.

Baula instead takes the conviction of Lastimosa as a challenge to the media people to continue their vision and mission.

The decision of Yrastorza was issued just two weeks before the annual Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration.

The month of September is also the Cebu Broadcasters’ Month.

However, Baula said that Lastimosa’s conviction does not have any implication in the celebration, adding that the decision of the court was just a coincidence.

Broadcaster Cirse “Choy” Torralba, a commentator at DYRF who was present during the promulgation of Lastimosa, told The Freeman that his presence was to show support to his colleague in the industry.

Also convicted of a libel case, Torralba shared what the feeling of being found guilty. He was charged for 18 cases of libel but 17 were dismissed.

In a 38-page decision, Yraztorza cited that all elements of libel were present in the case. He said the prosecution was able to prove its case.

In 2007, Garcia lodged a complaint against Lastimosa over his Arangkada column published in The Freeman entitled “Si Doling Kawatan”.

The article tells the story of a fish vendor who became rich after she entered politics which Garcia claimed “Doling” refers to her.

The article Garcia claimed has ruined her reputation being a public servant and a person.

Lastimosa denied the charges saying that “Doling” was a fictitious name and refers to all, not in particular.

Lastimosa still has 15 days to file his motion for reconsideration before the Court of Appeals. — (FREEMAN)