On Leo’s conviction

Comments of sympathy and expression of support from media colleagues and netizens greeted the conviction of veteran broadcaster and columnist Leo Lastimosa for the crime of libel. The case stemmed from “Si Doling Kawatan,” a column article that Leo wrote in The Freeman in June 29, 2007.

It may be recalled that the hottest issue during Garcia’s first term as governor was the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center as a venue for the 12th Asean Summit and 2nd East Asian Summit.

Despite apprehension and criticism surrounding the project, the Garcia administration forged ahead with the infrastructure in April 2006. WT Construction set the price at more than P581 million, to be sourced from provincial allocation of over P637 million. Additional works undertaken by the contractor amounted to P210 million, pushing the total cost to more than P840 million. Leo has criticized the CICC project over allegations that it is grossly overpriced.

On the day Judge Raphael Yrastorza, Sr. handed down the verdict, dyLA posted the subject article in the station’s Facebook account. Some netizens heckled Leo, but many were puzzled by the decision, wondering why the critique of the fictional foul-mouthed, boorish, corrupt and thief of a fish vendor named “Doling” would merit a conviction for the hard-hitting journalist.

If there is any fair comment to be made on the decision, it is in the portion where the judge wrote, “The court had observed that after Governor Garcia had filed two cases in different courts, accused seemed not to have heeded such clear warning… He continued his attacks, this time hiding behind the pseudonym ‘Doling’.”

By stating that the two previous cases filed by then governor Gwen Garcia served as clear warning for Lastimosa, the judge was telling Leo it would have been time to lay off the former governor; and because the columnist ignored the warning, the judgment was, in effect, waiting to happen.

I hope the higher court would make ordinary citizens like me understand whether the fundamental issue is really the writer’s deceptive use of allegory to besmirch the reputation of the former governor as Judge Yrastorza pronounced; or rather, is it the intimidation of a journalist who cannot be browbeaten?

* * *

Interestingly, Leo’s conviction happened less than two months after a Brazilian journalist was found guilty of slander after publishing a fictional article that offended a judge.

José Cristian Góes, a journalist based in Sergipe, Brazil’s smallest state and one of the poorest, wrote a piece called Eu, o coronel em mim (“The colonel in me”) published on May 2012 by the website Infonet, where he works as a regular columnist.

According yesterday’s issue of the online news X Index, the Brazilian journalist’s article was “in reference to the historical figure of “coronel,” supposedly powerful landowners from the region’s countryside, who hold political and economic power and often use violence to enforce their will.

José Cristian Góes wrote “the confession of a fictional coronel from the slavery period in Brazil, who is surprised by the upcoming democracy and is forced to behave as a democrat.”

Góes used the expression jagunço das leis, meaning “thug of the law” (a thug that works for a coronel).

Judge Edson Ulisses from Sergipe’s State Court of Justice felt alluded to by the “thug of the law” quote and charged the journalist with slander and defamation last December.

Góes was later convicted of slander, and on July 04 was sentenced to seven months and 16 days in prison. The sentence has been commuted to community service.

Brazil’s National Association of Newspapers and Reporters Without Borders denounced the court’s ruling.

The Brazilian journalist is set to appeal the case because for him “the article makes no reference to any specific place or date, neither cites names or clear characteristic of real people.”

The prosecution is “an attempt to make a direct attack” against free speech. “Freedom of speech and freedom of the press here are presents from Santa Claus,” Góes said.

* * *

Congratulations are in order for Cebu Catholic TV Network for the launch of new programs that are expected to unsettle the viewing habits of many televiewers in this part of the country.

CCTN Channel 47 helmsman Nonito “Tatay Dodong” Limchua will lead today the presentation of “Sayri 47” and two other public affairs programs in fitting ceremonies to be held at the Montebello Villa Hotel.

“Sayri 47” is the station’s main news program anchored by legal eagles Ruphil Bañoc and Divine Flores. Meanwhile, former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales will tackle politics and beyond in the program of the same title.

My advocacy for co-operatives finds a vehicle in “Co-op TV”. If plans gel, Tatay Dodong will make an important announcement that will certainly make waves in the Co-op world. The launch of these exciting programs is timely because the Catholic TV station is set to boost its radiated power from 5,000 to 35,000 watts. The enhanced signal takes effect this month.

To Tatay Dodong, Nanay Dianne Limchua and staff, more power!