Court junks damage suit vs GMA 7

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila regional trial court dismissed last month a damage suit filed against GMA 7 over a story aired by the network from Aug. 8 to 12, 2003.

Dolores Domingo filed the complaint against GMA and broadcasters Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco and Arnold Clavio for claiming she acquired unexplained wealth as a customs operating officer at the Bureau of Customs with a salary grade of 18.

Dolores, with another BOC employee, Chito Orbeta, was reported to have acquired luxurious cars and mansions in exclusive subdivisions based on statements of assets and liabilities, deeds of sale, and certificates of registration and official receipts issued by the Land Transportation Office.

In a 12-page decision penned by Judge Carmelita Manahan dated March 15, she cited a Supreme Court ruling saying that “the doctrine of fair commentaries means that while in general, every discreditable imputation publicly made is deemed false, it is not necessarily actionable. In order that such discreditable imputation to a public official may be actionable, it must either be a false allegation of fact or a comment based on a false supposition.”

Then production unit manager Ianessa Valdellon said that what aired over GMA was straight reporting on the basis of public, official and commercial documents, which Domingo herself signed and filed as a government employee at the BOC.