Chokoleit charged with libel for Twitter remarks

Tweeting can also be libelous.

Comedian Chokoleit (real name: Jonathan Aguilar Garcia) is now facing libel charges before a Quezon City court for allegedly maligning talk show host Cristy Fermin in his Twitter account.

Chokoleit was charged before Judge Evangeline Marigomen of Regional Trial Court Branch 101.

Assistant City Prosecutor Michael Millora recommended the filing of charges after the comedian failed to appear and submit his counter-affidavit to Fermin’s complaint despite due notice.

Twitter is a social networking site where its users can post their thoughts or comments not exceeding 140 characters.

Fermin, also a columnist, alleged that sometime in June last year, her show biz friends called her attention to the reportedly insulting and malicious remarks against her in Chokoleit’s Twitter account.

The remarks were reportedly posted under the “chOkOLeit2010” Twitter account.

At first, Fermin said she ignored the messages in the belief the issue would die down, but the respondent allegedly continued the remarks that Fermin was distressed and suffered mental and emotional anguish.

The assailed messages include a certain “tweet” which read: “magbyad ka ng utang mo Shrekty Fermin kapal ng mukha mo!! Mas panget ka! Sinungaling! Kadiri ka. Baho ng mukha mo! Estafadora!”

In the resolution, Millora said: “It is clear from the messages sent by the respondent from his own social network website that he has the intention in maligning the reputation of the complainant branding her as ‘estafadora’ or swindler.” Julie M. Aurelio