Cyberlibel case: Ligas ordered arrested, posts bail

CEBU, Philippines — Broadcaster Edward Ligas has posted bail after three cyberlibel charges filed against him by contractor Jerome Awit proceeded to court.

The case follows months of legal battles stemming from Ligas’ social media posts criticizing government infrastructure projects in Mandaue City.

In a statement released on June 24, Ligas said he was informed that his motion for reconsideration had been denied and that an information had already been filed before Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 65 in Talisay City.

Ligas said he learned last Friday that the case had reached the trial court level and that a warrant of arrest could be issued despite plans to elevate the matter to the Department of Justice through a petition for review.

Court records show that warrants of arrest were issued against Ligas for three counts of cyberlibel. Bail was set at P10,000 for each count, or a total of P30,000.

Ligas clarified that he was not taken into police custody and that he voluntarily surrendered before authorities could serve the warrants and subsequently posted bail.

The case originated from complaints filed by Awit, owner of ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corp., over a series of Facebook posts made by Ligas in August 2025.

The posts questioned the quality and implementation of several government-funded infrastructure projects in Mandaue City, including a riprap project in Barangay Maguikay that collapsed in October 2024.

Awit alleged that the posts falsely linked him and his company to corruption, favoritism, misuse of public funds, and allegedly defective public works projects, damaging their reputation.

In January 2026, the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office dismissed five cyberlibel complaints filed by Awit, ruling that an essential element of the offense—publication to a third party—had not been sufficiently established.

However, a separate complaint later prospered. In April 2026, prosecutors found probable cause and recommended the filing of cyberlibel charges against Ligas.

The filing of the information led to the issuance of the arrest warrants and the start of formal court proceedings.

Ligas has maintained that his statements were part of his work as a broadcaster and commentator discussing matters of public concern, particularly government accountability and public infrastructure projects.

He has also argued that the complaints were intended to suppress criticism and public scrutiny of government-funded projects.

The cyberlibel cases are now pending before RTC Branch 65 in Talisay City, where the court will determine whether the statements made by Ligas constitute criminal cyberlibel under Philippine law. — /MRM (FREEMAN)