Writer denies Nograles’ libel raps

THE writer who was charged with libel by House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles said he will face the case adding that doing so is part of his job.

"I stand by my stories. But maybe Speaker should also sue Duterte (Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte) and ABS-CBN. Durian post stories were based on the mayor's statements in Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa program that was aired in ABS-CBN," the accused said.

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Roger M. Balanza of the Durian Post, a weekly newspaper in Davao, said he was just doing his job “to give information on political issues to the public to guide them in making the right choice for the May 10 elections.”

Balanza further said it was just straight reporting and done without malice.

Balanza together with publisher Edgar Velez were charged with libel for maligning the lawmaker’s reputation.

Nograles, in his affidavit, cites February 15 to 21 and February 22 to 28 issues where he claimed Balanza destroyed his reputation.

He said that the respondent identified him as a candidate for mayoralty race who engages in vote-buying to win the upcoming election.

Nograles added that there were other articles in the issues of Durian Post written mostly by Balanza that discredit, defame, dishonor, and destroy his reputation.

He claimed that contrary to established practices of journalism, there was no effort on the part of the respondents to get his side on all stories.