A ranking member of the Catholic clergy yesterday advised media professionals “not to be discouraged” with the conviction for libel of veteran journalist Leo Lastimosa, saying they should continue to “stand for the truth”.
Msgr. Trinidad Silva, chairman of the Commission on Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said journalists simply have to adhere to the truth amid the challenges that come their way.
“That [libel] is one of the risks media [professionals face]. I hope Leo’s conviction won’t discourage people working in the media. You must continue to pursue your visions and stand up for the truth,” he said in a phone interview yesterday.
Local whistleblower Crisologo Saavedra said what happened to Lastimosa should not cause fear among journalists in the campaign against graft and corruption.
“I’m advising all journalists to continue with the campaign against corruption. If the media won’t do it, nobody will protect the interests of the people,” he said.
Saavedra was anxious that Lastimosa’s conviction will become a precedent for anyone who wishes to harass members of the media.
“Media should not take this sitting down. This can be a precedent. Anybody will follow what was done to Leo,” he said.
“Gwen’s action against Leo was to undermine the media. It’s a demolition job. It’s but proper that Gwen should be stopped from harassing the media,” Saavedra added.
In several instances, Saavedra and Lastimosa criticized Garcia for questionable projects like the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City and the Balili property in Naga City.
“He [Lastimosa] was with me in the campaign against corruption. That started the issue on libel,” said Saavedra who was among those who filed complaints against Garcia in relation to the alleged anomalies.
Taxpayer’s duty
“Leo was just doing his duty as a taxpayer. I believe the judge made a wrong decision in convicting him,” he added.
Judge Raphael Yrastorza of Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 found Lastimosa guilty of libel for smearing Garcia’s reputation in one of his columns published in The Freeman newspaper.
Lastimosa, station manager of dyAB and anchor of TV Patrol Central Visayas, was ordered to pay a fine of P6,000.
He was also mandated to pay P2 million in damages to Garcia. Lastimosa will contest the ruling before the Court of Appeals.