Guv files libel cases vs. 4 radio commentators
WITHOUT PRECEDENCE
LINGAYEN—Gov. Amado Espino Jr., evidently hurt by commentaries that he felt cast aspersions on his integrity, did what no other elected official in Pangasinan did in the past – he filed 12 counts of libel against four Dagupan-based radio broadcasters last month.
Lina Cervantes of dwPR Power Radyo Asenso in Dagupan City was charged with eight counts of libel; four were filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in San Carlos City and another four at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Lingayen.
Macky Delgado, also of dwPR was slapped with two counts of libel in San Carlos City while Tito Tamayo, also of dwPR was co-respondent of Delgado in one of the two cases.
Ike Palinar of dwCM Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan located in Dagupan City was also charged for two counts of libel.
Mr. Espino’s complaint- affidavits cited Cervantes’s accusations she aired in her radio commentaries on several dates of cheating, by way of dagdag-bawas and vote buying when he was congressman of the second district of Pangasinan, his questionable wealth like owning several houses and fishponds, and insinuating irregularities between him and his son, Amado Espino III, in quarrying, jueteng and black sand extraction activities.
The governor also cited Cevantes’ commentary on tree planting and alleging kickback in the P30-million budget appropriated by the provincial government to the Liga ng mga Barangay provincial federation headed by his son Amado III, for purchase of service vehicles.
Mr. Espino also protested the commentary that he used his ailing mother “as his props” to deflect negative commentaries saying her health condition worsens when she hears or reads criticisms against her son on radio or newspaper every time the governor is facing problem in his administration.
In Palinar’s case, it was his discussion of billion-peso loan availed by the provincial government and being compared with Cojuangco family that shares its blessings to Pangasinenses while alleging that everything is done through vouchers to cover the provincial government’s expenses.
Delgado’s case was about projects where the governor is allegedly the contractor and another with Tamayo in their program as anchormen, that Espino allegedly cut 3,200 trees in Mangatarem town sans permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
In all the cases Espino filed, he claimed to have either heard the respondents say their accusations against him or have received transcript of their recorded radio broadcast from the Office of the Provincial Information Office.
Lawyer Joseph Cera, counsel for the respondents, said, “It’s very scary that all you’re saying is transcribed.”
“If they record and transcribe, it’s chilling if you are radio announcer and you know you are being taped by the provincial government,” Cera said. “It scares the heck out of you,” he added.
He maintains all allegations against Espino pertain to his acts as government official and said he hopes the complaints will be dismissed by the prosecutor.
Cervantes, in a text message to The PUNCH, said,” I and my colleagues in media would not be cowed by the powerful governor’s bullying, in the name of press freedom and we would continue to fight with integrity.”
Espino said in an interview at dwIZ that in all the 14-hour broadcast of dwPR, its announcers said nothing good about him for the past months. The station dwPR is owned by the Cojuangcos.
Espino’s son, Amado III, has announced his intent to run against former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco in the gubernatorial race in 2016.
Espino and Cojuangco used to be close political allies until their relationship turned sour when Cojuangco announced in February 2014 his gubernatorial plan. Espino is in his third and final term as governor.
Both Espino and Cojuangco maintain daily block time programs in different radio stations in Pangasinan served by their respective commentators.
“At first I didn’t mind them (criticisms of the broadcasters charged) but they went beyond and personal,” Mr. Espino said.
“My honor, reputation, my name are most precious in my life. Those are the only ones I could leave as legacy to my children and grandchildren and you would destroy my name? Huwag naman,” the governor intoned. (With report from Tita Roces)
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