2 radio men facing libel rap held, freed on discounted P30,000 bail bond each

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Two broadcasters based in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental province posted a discounted bail of P30,000 each for a libel suit filed by a local politician over a broadcast episode that dated back to the 2019 midterm election campaign.

Sued for libel were radio commentator Jonas Bustamante, 46, and Eduardo Bacasnot, 48. Both work at the Gingoog-based 98.9 FM Beat Radio which Bacasnot runs as station manager.

Police served arrest warrants on them last Monday, Dec. 2, prompting them to post bail at the Regional Trial Court Branch 27.

Bustamante said they were supposed to pay P120,000 each but got a favorable ruling from presiding Judge Giovanni Alfred Navarro, who reduced the bail bond to just P30,000 for each of them.

Bustamante and Bacasnot have been charged with four counts of libel by former Misamis Oriental Rep. Peter Unabia, now Gingoog vice mayor, accusing them of smearing his reputation by alleging that he was involved in illegal drugs.

But Bustamante said what he discussed on air was Unabia’s filing of certificate of candidacy, questioning his residency in Gingoog.

The issue came to a head at the height of the campaign for the May elections.

Edited by TSB