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Wednesday, December 28, 2005
3 journalists face arrest
By Aquiles Zonio
THREE journalists are facing arrest after the local court in Koronadal City issued arrest warrants against them in connection with the libel charges filed by a judge.
Ordered arrested were Alejandro "Bong" Reblando, Manila Bulletin correspondent here; Giovanni Flaviano, editor and publisher of South Cotabato Forum; Santos Daradar, managing editor and Jerry Adlaw, associate editor.
The libel case stemmed from an article written by Reblando, which was published in the local weekly tabloid, South Cotabato Forum.
The article was about the alleged illicit love affair of Koronadal City Regional Trial Court branch 24 Judge Oscar Dinopol with one of his court employees.
The court set a P10,000 bail each for the temporary liberty of the respondents.
Reblando said they already submitted a petition before the Department of Justice asking for reinvestigation of the case.
He said he had no intention to tarnish the image of Dinopol as he was merely reporting legitimate issue, which concerns public interest.
He further revealed that the court administrator of the Supreme Court directed Dinopol to answer the charges filed by Hugolino Balayon Jr., a practicing lawyer in Koronadal City, who accused the judge of gross ignorance of the law and misconduct.
Balayon filed the administrative complaint on September 21, 2004 and is still pending with the Office of Court Administrator of the Supreme Court.
Reblando urged the judge not to be onion-skinned when it comes to his conduct as public official.
He said he welcomes the libel case, as he is aware it is part of the risks involved in journalistic profession.
When interviewed by Sun.Star, Dinopol said Reblando and his co-accused "should be men enough to submit themselves" to the jurisdiction of the court and face the charges.
Dinopol said the news items were written with malice and that the newspapermen reportedly never verified the story with him.
"They could have gone to the court and get my side. I do not know what their agenda are," Dinopol said in a telephone interview.
The judge, a former city councilor here, said he is bent on pursuing the case.
He declined to give any comments on the case he filed against the newsmen. (With reports from Edwin G. Espejo)
(December 12, 2005 issue)
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