Ouano sues radio blocktimer for libel

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano has filed a libel case against a radio broadcaster over the latter’s alleged verbal attacks in his radio program over DYKC on January 13, 2015.

Ouano alleged that radio blocktimer Edward Ligas maligned him in his radio program “Radyo Ronda” aired weekdays at 8 p.m.

The complaint was filed before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday afternoon by Ouano’s legal counsel, Vicente Fernandez.

Ouano, in his affidavit, states that sometime in December 2014, he was approached by Ligas who requested him to sponsor his radio program.

Although he did not turn down the request, Ouano stated that he also did not commit to sponsoring it.

Ouano said that since he had a hectic schedule, he forgot about the request of Ligas and was only informed by friends and relatives that the blocktimer was verbally attacking him and his daughter, Mandaue City Councilor Emmarie “Lollipop” Ouano-Dizon.

He said that he did not mind the verbal attacks and innuendos made by Ligas regarding his corruption charges because he was already cleared by the Sandiganbayan.

However, on January 13, 2015, in his radio program, Ligas allegedly uttered libelous and defamatory statements against Ouano and his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Ouano.

 “Hahaha! Na kung matulog kuno si Linda mga higala, pag matulog na si Linda, mga kaigsooan, si Teddy Botitot mukamang kunong Cheryl mga higala, ambot magpahilot ba kaha kay gipanohot or magpamasahi  kay gi-istress mga kaigsoonan. Dili na akoa kang Jun Areglo na. Ah! ah! makapahinumdum sad nako nadtong usa ka texter niadtong ting huwaw mga higala aron makadaginot ug tubig ah si Bokal Teddy ug ilang katabang magdungan sila ug kaligo. Ako giignan tong texter, nga wa man untay problema nga magdungan silag kaligo ang dili lang nako ganahan kung magpalugod si Teddy. Ngnu man? Dili maayo bebeh. Ha! Dili gyud bebeh,” Ligas said in his radio program.

Saying those statements were libelous, Ouano said the attacks made by Ligas were personal and have nothing to do with his duties as provincial board member.

The commentaries allegedly made by Ligas on air were part of the affidavit executed by two witnesses, Jocelyn Sadili and Yolanda Ytang, both of Sitio Nangka, Casuntingan, Mandaue City .

Ouano said the commentaries were clearly referring to him since he was widely known as Teddy and is married to Linda Ouano and his son Alfie is married to Cheryl Ouano.

He also said that Ligas’ commentaries have no other purpose than to malign, degrade and put his family into disrepute and excite derogatory feelings or opinions against him and his daughter-in-law.

He added he was also able to obtain a tape after he wrote Jesus Laureno, the Regional Director of the NTC, that he wanted to obtain a copy of Ligas’ commentaries.

In a separate interview, Ligas he considers the libel charges against him as “useless and frivolous” and the case is part of the hazards of being a broadcaster.

He said he did not find anything malicious with his commentaries on air against Ouano.

Ligas said that he never said in his commentaries that Ouano and his daughter-in-law have sexual relationship.

With regards to the message sent by a texter, which he also commented on air, Ligas said he finds it nothing malicious when Teddy and their house help took a bath together.

Ligas also called Ouano a liar when Ouano said that he came to him asking to sponsor his radio program in December 2014.

“That’s a blatant lie because the last time I saw him was during the barangay election in 2010 yet. Mas dako na hinuon og chance nga ma-dismiss ang kaso  kay namakak siya, kay wa dyud koy record nga mag-solicit ko para sa akong radio program,” Ligas adds. —  /ATO   (FREEMAN)