Albay gov assails spread of ‘fake’ news on SC ruling

LIGAO CITY — Albay Gov. Edcel “Grex” Lagman denounced on Thursday, Jan. 26, “false” reports on a Supreme Court (SC) decision that supposedly favored ousted governor Noel Rosal, who appealed the disqualification ruling of the Commission on Elections.

Lagman said in a statement that there was “no basis or truth” to the reports, noting that the “[SC] had never issued or released the decision regarding the case.”

Lagman was referring to the supposed SC decision spreading on social media that the high court voted 10-4-1 in favor of Rosal, who sought last year an injunction or a status quo ante order against the poll body en banc’s final disqualification ruling.

The Comelec disqualified Rosal from the gubernatorial race, saying the former Legazpi mayor committed an election offense by violating the ban on public spending.

Lagman said the SC has yet to issue a verdict on the appeal of Rosal, adding that the false reports on the supposed court decision would be considered a “violation of the sub judice rule” and “an attack on the integrity of the highest court.”

Lagman, a former court lawyer at SC, warned Albay residents against making comments and spreading fake news about the case since it is still being attended by the justices.

He said a person spreading fake news could be charged with “criminal contempt.”

On Friday, the College of Law of Bicol College in Daraga town also condemned the spread of false information and fake news about the supposed SC decision, saying it was “dividing the province.”

It said Albay residents should respect the independence of the judiciary and trust the high court “by patiently waiting for the court’s official resolution.” INQ