KBP-Cebu closes ranks behind Lastimosa in wake of conviction

CEBU’S broadcasters closed ranks in support of dyAB station manager and newspaper columnist Leo Lastimosa yesterday following his conviction on libel charges last Friday.

During a short program for yesterday’s opening of Broadcasters’ Month, Marlon Baula, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Cebu chairman said the group supports Lastimosa’s move to elevate his case to the Court of Appeals.

“We believe at the end of the day he will be victorious in his case,” Baula said, adding that Lastimosa’s conviction won’t dampen the resolve and courage of Cebuano broadcasters.

In his decision, Judge Raphael B. Yrastorza Sr. of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court said Lastimosa’s 2007 column entitled “Doleng Kawatan” described former governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia as “corrupt”, “arrogant” and a “thief.”

The judge noted that Lastimosa had written prior articles about Garcia that “besmirched” her reputation.

Lastimosa was ordered to pay a P6,000 fine and P2 million in damages to Garcia. “A libel case is part of the hazards in the profession…It will only fuel the fire and challenge us (to hit harder, work better),” Baula said.

Former KBP Cebu chairman Ruphil Bañoc said he was saddened by the ruling.

Bañoc cited the libel case filed by the late president Corazon Aquino against Luis Beltran and former Philippine Star editor-in-chief Max Soliven.

Bañoc said while Beltran and Soliven were convicted by the lower court they were acquitted eventually at the Court of Appeals even if the complainant was then the president of the republic.

In a speech, Lastimosa asked fellow broadcasters not to be afraid.

“Ayaw mo kahadlok pagtuman sa inyong trabaho (Don’t be afraid of doing your jobs),” Lastimosa told fellow broadcasters.

Fr. Jonas Mejares, rector of the Basilica del Santo Niño, also said in his homily for the broadcasters’ month celebration that truth must be defended whatever the cost.

The celebration of Broadcasters’ Month started at 7 am with a parade participated by 300 broadcasters and personnel of several radio and television stations from Abellana National High School towards the Provincial Capitol.

A short program was held at the Capitol social hall followed by a Mass.

The KBP also held a beauty pageant in which the winner will be the KBP’s representative to the upcoming Miss Press Freedom. Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan