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ILOILO CITY — Four radio broadcasters in Iloilo are facing preliminary investigation for multiple libel suits filed by a top-ranking official of the Department of Education in Western Visayas (DepEd-6) at the city prosecutor’s office last Feb. 7.
Ramir Uytico, DepEd-6 director, claimed that the commentaries made by the broadcasters over their radio programs at the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) tarnished his personal and professional reputation as well as of the agency.
The four were Israel Vincent “Don” Dolido, Henry Lumawag, Novie Guazo, and Regan Arlos – all of RMN.
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According to Uytico, Dolido insinuated that taxpayers’ money was used during a trip to Boracay Island while Lumawag made homophobic statements against him and accused the official of inappropriate behavior while in Boracay.
Guazo and Arlos were charged for calling Uytico “incompetent” in their program.
Sorbito, station manager of RMN Iloilo, labeled the libel case as a “direct attack on the freedom of the press.”
“It is his (Uytico) responsibility to face the issues and questions at hand as it is the right of the public to know his explanation,” Sorbito said.
He said taking legal action against journalists for performing their duties not only silences the voices of the media but also hampers the public’s right to access of information.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Iloilo Chapter denounced what they considered as an attempt by Uytico to silence the media.
“Uytico isn’t just silencing the media. He is denying the public the right to know,” it said.
NUJP said Uytico’s performance as a government employee should be open to commentary.
Iloilo City Councilors Ely Estante and Romel Duron have rallied behind the anchormen.
Estante urged government officials to resign if they cannot handle media criticism, emphasizing that criticism is part of their obligation.
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Iloilo Chapter condemned Uytico’s libel charges, emphasizing the importance of a free press in a democratic nation.