REGIONAL State Prosecutor's Office (RSPO) chief Antonio Arellano said the case filed by House Speaker Prospero Nograles against two city-based journalists will be acted upon next week.
"I will release the regional order next week, designating an acting Davao City prosecutor for the conduct of the preliminary investigation," Arellano told Sun.Star Davao.
City Prosecutor Raul B. Bendigo earlier inhibited from the case and endorsed it to the RSPO because Nograles is Bendigo's brother-in-law.
The respondents -- Roger Balanza and Edgar Velez -- of the Durian Post, a weekly newspaper, were earlier charged with libel for maligning Nograles's reputation.
Nograles, in his affidavit, cites February 15-21 and February 22-28 issues where he claimed Balanza destroyed his reputation.
He said the respondent identified him as a candidate for mayoralty race who engages in vote-buying to win in the local election.
He added that there were other articles in the issues of Durian Post written mostly by Balanza that discredit, defame, dishonor, and destroy his reputation.
Contrary to established practices of journalism, he said, there was no effort on the part of respondents to get his side on all stories.
Balanza, meanwhile, said he will face the charges, saying it is just part of his job.
He earlier said that he was just doing his job to give information on political issues to the public to guide them in making the right choice this coming May elections.
Balanza said it was just straight reporting and done without malice. (RMH)