Hearing of last defense witness in Lastimosa libel case postponed

CEBU, Philippines - Yesterday’s supposed presentation of the last witness for the defense in the libel case filed by suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia against broadcaster-columnist Leo Lastimosa has been reset.

This after Judge Raphael Yrastorza of the Regional Trial Court Branch 14 suffered high blood pressure, according to his staff. He said he got a phone call from Yrastorza instructing him to cancel all hearings.

Lawyer Democrito Barcenas was supposed to be the last witness.

In an interview, Barcenas said he read the article published in The FREEMAN titled “Si Doling Kawatan” dated June 29, 2007. Upon reading the article, he said it’s merely a work of fiction.

“The subject in the article is not identified and it’s not referring to a particular person,” he said.

In the article, he said Doling was a fishmonger and ran for the Office of the Barangay Captain while Garcia ran for a higher office.

Lawyer Celso Espinosa, counsel of Lastimosa said the defense was to present Barcenas as its last witness because he, as a politician, personally knew the governor.

“Bug-at ang iyang testimony,” Espinosa said.

He added Doling does not in any way refer to Garcia because the article itself was a work of fiction.

Earlier, during the direct examination made by Espinosa, Lastimosa denied the allegation that his column refers to Garcia.  He said Doling was a fictitious name and refers to all and not anyone in particular.

“Doling does not in any way refer to the governor,” he earlier said.

Lastimosa was charged for a criminal case for allegedly maligning Garcia in his Arangkada column titled “Si Doling Kawatan”.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)