Convicted Davao journalist posts bail in 2nd libel suit
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 19:01:00 05/26/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- A convicted Davao City journalist Alexander Adonis was allowed to post bail on a second libel suit filed against him following his conviction of an earlier and similar suit brought against him by House Speaker Prsopero Nograles, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said.
However, despite paying the P5,000 bail and securing a release order from Judge George Omelio of RTC Branch 17, Davao Penal Colony warden Superintendent Benjo Tesoro, who told members of the NUJP Davao chapter and other colleagues who had gone there to fetch Adonis that he had to inform “higher correctional authority” before he could release the convicted broadcaster.
Adonis had been convicted for “a series of commentaries in which he identified the congressman as the man who allegedly ran naked from a Manila hotel after he was caught by his paramour's husband.”
He was supposed to be discharged on parole in February but could not because of the second case, filed by the woman mentioned in his commentaries.
Adonis, through his counsel Harry Roque, has joined the NUJP and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility in filing a case before the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights challenging the criminality of the country's libel law.
“The criminal nature of libel as an offense violates the Philippines’ treaty obligations to promote freedom of expression,” Roque said.
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