Blogger nabbed in Iloilo for libel

ILOILO CITY — Policemen arrested Iloilo blogger and radio blocktimer Manuel “Boy Mejorada on Friday night over a libel complaint filed by Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor.

A team from the police station of Pavia town in Iloilo arrested Mejorada at his residence around 7 p.m. based on an arrest warrant issued on June 4 by Judge Victorino Maniba Jr. of the Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 39.

Mejorada was initially taken to the Pavia police station but was later brought to St. Paul’s Hospital after his blood pressure went up.

Mejorada was earlier indicted for five counts of cyberlibel for his social media posts against Defensor.

The former provincial administrator of Iloilo called the governor “the worst among the corrupt” and a “dishonorable man” in his posts.

In his counter-affidavit, Mejorada said his posts fall under the purview of fair comment on the governor’s official acts.

Mejorada was convicted in 2017 by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for four counts of libel for his social media posts against Sen. Franklin Drilon.

The Pasay City RTC sentenced Mejorada to a jail term — from a minimum of two years, four months and one day to a maximum of four years and two months.

His conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals this year.

Mejorada has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. (Editor: Eden Estopace)