Governor’s brod files libel raps

A COUPLE will face trial on libel charges filed by Barili Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia for allegedly posting defamatory remarks against him in Facebook.

Victor Vergara Jr. and his wife Fleurelie were charged by the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors’ Office on a complaint filed by Mayor Garcia, younger brother of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Fleurelie posted lengthy remarks berating Mayor Garcia for allegedly passing on to the governor false information about her.

In “A note to Marlon Garcia from Dimples,” the vice mayor was described as “dumb” and was criticized for “fabricating” allegations about the respondent offering a package for a festival workshop for P50,000.

The remarks were posted in her husband’s Facebook wall under the name “Jarl Vergara.”

At one point, the posting said, “I do not quake in fear. I do not even care what that person thinks of me because I think so very little of him. … I am now exercising my right to defend myself…”

In his resolution, Asst. Provincial Prosecutor Rustom Presas Jr. found probable cause to elevate the charges against the couple in court.

He said the remarks were defamatory and “circulated to the public to some extent” through the Internet.

The couple, in their defense, said their remakrs were “private communication” and “not for the general public.”The prosecutor disagreed.

“…even if it is fairly accurate, and (you) post it online, you may be sued for making libelous statements,” Presas said. In their joint counter-affidavit, the respondents said there was nothing libelous in the note posted on Victor’s Facebook on Feb. 22.

The respondents said the charges filed by Mayor G arcia against them constituted “harassment.”

The criminal charges were approved by Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol