Aquino should be convicted of libel—Syjuco

Former Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco Jr.  INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Former Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III should be held criminally liable for his allegedly libelous statements against him during the 2013 State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“I hope he is criminally convicted as he should be. I hope he is excluded from being elected in public office. Whether he is a small criminal or a big criminal, he’s still a criminal,” Syjuco said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net.

Syjuco on Thursday filed a libel complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Aquino over the president’s tirade in his 2013 Sona.

The president accused Syjuco as being behind the alleged overpricing of training materials in Tesda under his watch during the Arroyo administration.

Syjuco maintained that the president is not immune from suits under the 1987 Constitution. He said presidential immunity was in the 1973 Constitution and was later removed in the latest Charter.

“If he is immune from suit then that means he is above the law,” Syjuco said.

The former Tesda chief said the President destroyed his reputation with his Sona speech.

“You do not just throw charges at anybody who has a good name and who wishes to maintain a good name for generations past and future,” Syjuco said.

For their part, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino is immune from suits during his term by virtue of Supreme Court decisions.

“A sitting president is immune from suit during the duration of his term … Presidential immunity is recognized in a long line of cases decided by the Supreme Court, which under the Civil Code forms part of the law of the land,” Valte said in a text message.

Syjuco is facing six graft charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged P61-million overpricing in the purchase of Tesda training materials. The Sandiganbayan has issued a hold-departure-order against him.

Syjuco has repeatedly denied the charges.

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