Resuello files P1M libel case vs. PUNCH
SAN CARLOS City Mayor Julier Resuello filed a case for libel against Sunday PUNCH Inc., editor-publisher Ermin Garcia Jr., Leonardo Micua and Virgilio Biagtan.
The case filed with the Dagupan City Prosecutor’s Office stemmed from a headline story titled “For Missing P29 million, Mayor, Cashier face raps” in The PUNCH’s April 25, 2010 issue.
The Resuello complaint described the article as “defamatory as it is attended with malice, that is not a fair, true and honest report” and asked for P1 million in moral damages, P100,000 for exemplary damages and P100,000 for legal fees.
The article in question was the filing of a case of malversation of public funds last April 16 before the Ombudsman against Mayor Resuello and the city’s disbursing officer Leny D. Fermin in violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation or Miappropriation of Public Funds).
Complainants against the mayor were “Concerned Citizens of San Carlos City” represented by lawyer Moises S. Tolentino Jr.
The libel complaint alleged that the unnamed “concerned citizens” who filed the case with the Ombudsman were actually Garcia, Micua and Biagtan since the PUNCH was the only one that received a copy.
A copy of the malversation complaint, duly received by the Ombudsman’ for Luzon’s Records Office dated April 16 was received by the PUNCH on April 23, 2010.
It also cited the frontpage “caricature of a male person who appeared to be stunned and knocked out by a boxing glove with spring coming from a box with words “Graft case” and a sketched voice “Surprise!” as libelous.
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