Maceda sues Vizconde

Former Ambassador to the US Ernesto Maceda has filed a P5-million libel suit against a leader of an anti-crime watchdog group for allegedly issuing a statement about a month ago regarding his alleged attempt to bring cars into the country without paying the corresponding taxes.

The article reportedly came out on the front page of a national newspaper.

Maceda, ousted president Joseph Estrada’s spokesman during the impeachment trial, said Volunteer Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) chair Lauro Vizconde "besmirched and dishonored" his reputation in a press statement that was published on Jan. 5. VACC is the same group that filed the plunder case against Mr. Estrada.

The cars, based on reports, were impounded at the airport for non-payment of appropriate taxes.

Maceda said in his complaint that Vizconde accused him of graft for importing four luxury and sport cars, which he is denying. He said the cars belonged to his returning labor attache, Lorenzo Leynes Jr., and Department of Foreign Affairs official Patricia Porras. – Jose Aravilla