Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo (3rd from right) files a P2-million civil suit against SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz for red-tagging him before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Monday, September 11, 2023. With him are his lawyers Dean Tony La Viña, Rico V. Domingo, Artemio Calumpong, Cris Yambot, and Ayn Ruth Tolentino-Azarcon. Photo from Radyo Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo filed a P2-million civil suit against former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy and confessed ex-communist rebel Jeffrey Celiz over red tagging.
The damage suit was filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Monday. Araullo’s counsels were conveners of the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), Tony La Viña and Rico Domingo.
The complaint is anchored under Articles 19, 20, 21, 26 and 33 of the New Civil Code which protects an individual’s rights, human relations and dignity and a violation could lead to serious damage and injury to a person’s reputation, peace of mind, and personal relations.
Araullo complained about defamatory statements by Badoy and Celiz against him and his family on national television and social media platforms.
“I initially chose to ignore their attacks owing to their apparent absurdity. But because I’ve seen how treacherous, persuasive, and harmful disinformation can be, especially when left unchecked, I have resolved to push back. I am doing this for the safety and well-being of my family, but I also hope it contributes a modest way to protecting press freedom in general,” Araullo said in a statement.
Currently, Badoy and Celiz are among the hosts of the show Laban Kasama ng Bayan over Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
The broadcaster and his mother, Carol P. Araullo, chair emeritus of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) were the subject of a red-tagging spree by Badoy and Celiz from since 2022.
Araullo was branded as “spawn” of an active CPP Central Committee leader. He was also accused as an orchestrator of attacks against the government by stating that the documentaries/contents he produced are aligned with the propaganda of the CPP-NPA.
“Red-tagging is a serious act that could lead to violations of human rights. It is a form of disinformation that tarnishes a person’s reputation and exposes people to threats, harassment, and violence. Furthermore, it discriminately labels individuals and organizations as ‘communists,’ ‘terrorists,’ or ‘enemies of the state’ without evidence and due process of law,” MAD, which was also red-tagged for advocating press freedom, said in a statement.
In July, Araullo’s mother, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Chair Emeritus Dr. Carol Pagaduan Araullo, also filed a similar complaint against Badoy and Celiz for targeting her, her organization as well as her son on their TV program and social media.
Last year, Badoy was the subject of a show cause order from the Supreme Court for calling a Manila Regional Trial Court judge an “idiot” and accusing the magistrate of lawyering for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
This happened after the Manila court judge dismissed the government’s petition to declare CPP and the New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorist organizations.
Badoy eventually took down her social media post against the Manila court judge. She also denied that she threatened the magistrate.
READ: Badoy: Civil suit over red tagging ‘won’t stop me from speaking the truth’