This time for libel: 2 blocktimers arrested again

Barely three months after they were arrested by NBI agents on charges of alleged extortion, two radio blocktimers were arrested again yesterday, also by NBI agents, this time for alleged libel.

Reynante " Rey " Cortez and Lito " Bingbong " Solon have just emerged from the announcers booth of DYDD Bantay Radyo after their commentary program " Engkwentro " when the agents placed them under arrest.

The order for their arrest was issued by judge Antonio Marigumen of the Regional Trial Court in Bogo in connection with a complaint for libel filed by the town's treasurer, Rhett Minguez.

Cortez and Solon were, however, released promptly on posting bail of P20,000 each.

Minguez said the two radio blocktimers maligned him on air twice, on May 24 and 26, by accusing him of corruption and malfeasance in the exercise of his public functions.

A radio blocktimer is a broadcaster who is not a member of the staff of a radio station but merely buys airtime within which to engage in a program.

The two blocktimers claimed that Minguez acquired several properties, some of which he did not declare in his mandatory statement of assets and liabilities, and is living beyond his means. They also accused the Bogo treasurer of spending money he acquired through corrupt means on an alleged mistress.

State prosecutor Graeme June Elmido said in indicting Cortez and Solon that the two could have escaped the charge of libel had they limited their commentaries to the alleged ill-gotten wealth of Minguez as these were within their constitutionally guaranteed freedom as members of the press.

But when Cortez and Solon started to attack Minguez regarding his private life, Elmido said the commentaries were no longer within the ambit of public accountability and thus may constitute libel.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, who owns the station, and Valeriano " Jun " Carillo, station manager, were originally included in the complaint but Elimido dropped them when he elevated the case to court.

Elimido said there was no evidence to show Sanchez and Carillo had any participation, whether direct or indirect, in the commission of libel against Minguez.

Elmido said the commentaries of Cortez and Solon were done live on air, making it impossible for Sanchez and Carillo to intervene in the broadcasts.

Cortez and Solon already have a string of libel cases against them.

One of these is the P1 million libel suit filed by Philippine Reclamation Authority director Elberto Emphasis, who accused the duo of calling him a swindler.

Prior to the charge, Elmida had Cortez and Solon arrested by the NBI in an entrapment operation at a mall for alleged extortion.

Cortez and Solon allegedly went on air on September 14 to accuse Emphasis of swindling and rice smuggling.

On September 29, they were arrested allegedly in the act of receiving P20,000 in marked from Emphasis.

But instead of extortion, prosecutors downgraded the charge against the two to just grave threats, saying no force was employed when the alleged extortion was made.