Lastimosa brings libel fight to CA

VETERAN broadcaster Leo Lastimosa made formal his request to challenge the guilty verdict for libel imposed by the trial court against him.

Assisted by his lawyer Celso Espinosa, Lastimosa lodged his Notice to Appeal the ruling of Regional Trial Court Judge Raphael Yrastorza before the Court of Appeals (CA) last Thursday.

“It is his matter of right to appeal the court’s guilty verdict against him,” Espinosa said in an interview.

Espinosa requested Judge Yrastorza to forward the records of the case to the appellate court which will review Lastimosa’s conviction and determine whether or not to sustain it.

The lawyer said they’re hoping the CA will reverse Judge Yrastorza’s decision.

Last Friday, Judge Yrastorza declared a guilty verdict against Lastimosa in relation to the libel complaint filed against him by former Cebu governor and incumbent Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol