Ex-solon posts bail for libel case

CEBU, Philippines -  Former congressman Pastor Alcover, Jr. has posted bail for his libel case following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him.

Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Lynna Adviento of Branch 58 issued a warrant of arrest against Alcover on September 1, 2014 after finding probable cause in the case filed against him.

However, Alcover voluntarily submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the court and posted the recommended P10,000 bail for his temporary liberty at around 1 p.m. yesterday.

Though he was surprised by the issuance of the warrant, Alcover told the media he is ready to face the charges filed against him by David Odilao, Jr., former district collector of the Bureau of Customs.

Odilao filed the case against Alcover; Elias Baquero, Sun Star staff reporter; and Isolde Amante, Sun Star editor-in-chief, claiming that on April 10, 2010,  the three conspired in publishing “defamatory and untruthful statements which cast and created dishonor, discredit and contempt” on him.

Odilao further said Alcover lambasted him “for dishonest acts and actuations.”

He added that Alcover stated that he had no personality to represent Anad Party List as he was not a member of the partylist because he was kicked out as he was found out to be only after the money and not the interest of the group.

Prosecutor I Benjo Luther Macion of the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the libel complaint filed against Baquero and Amante.

Macion, however, held Alcover for trial, saying the elements for libel were present in the case of the former congressman.

Alcover filed a motion for reconsideration seeking for the reversal of Macion’s resolution, but it was denied.

“Re-evaluation of the two motions reveals that the arguments presented by the movants (Alcover and complainant) are the same arguments that they have stated in the counter-affidavit and the complaint. The undersigned therefore does not find new and convincing evidence and the necessity to amend, alter or modify the earlier resolution as he feels that the same arguments were already discussed,” Macion ruled. — (FREEMAN)