Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Court orders release of convicted broadcaster By Rhodamae M. Hernandez
REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 presiding Judge George Omelio ordered the release of convicted broadcaster Alexander Adonis following the issuance of discharge order by the Board of Pardon and Parole through the Parole and Probation Office.
Lawyer Harry Roque, Adonis's legal counsel, said Judge Omelio allowed Adonis to post a bailbond of P5,000 for his temporary liberty.
He said police authorities were also instructed to serve the order for the broadcaster's release.
"Magiging moot and academic na 'yung pag re-open ng case but it will continue. 'Yun lang naman ang gusto namin na ma-release siya. He will be a happy man now but his trials will continue," Roque told Sun.Star Davao.
Even as this developed, Roque vowed that Adonis will appear before the court during hearings now that he has his legal counsel and the support of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.
"Nagka problema siya dati kasi wala siyang lawyer kaya ngayon, okey na," he said.
Adonis was convicted of libel for maligning Davao City 1st District Representative Prospero Nograles in his radio program in July 2001. Adonis's co-respondent, General Santos station manager Dan Vicente, was acquitted.
The libel case stemmed from the "Burlesk King" scandal that allegedly referred to Nograles and a former television program host.
But Adonis is also facing another libel case filed by Jeanette Lomanta Leuterio.
Adonis's lawyers earlier submitted a communication to the United Nations Human Rights Committee challenging the legality of libel in the Philippines.
