Hearing on Lastimosa's libel case starts

CEBU, Philippines - The trial of the case against broadcaster and columnist Leo Lastimosa officially started yesterday in the sala of Judge Rapahael Yrastorza of Regional Trial Court Branch 14.

The camp of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia presented The FREEMAN opinion editor, Debbie Dixie Duraliza.

Duraliza admitted that the column of Lastimosa, “Si Doling Kawatan,” was published in The FREEMAN on June 29, 2007.

There was no cross examination by the defense counsel as it was admitted by the first witness of the prosecution.

According to the prosecution’s counsel, lawyer Lito Astillero, they will present three more witnesses as the trial of the libel case proceeds.

Lastimosa’s lawyer, Celso Espinosa, said they will present two witnesses to prove that the column “Si Doling Kawatan” was not libelous.

The governor filed the case after she felt she was being alluded to in the column. The character Doling was reportedly a play of her name and decided to file the case to protect her name.

Espinosa said nowhere in the column was it specified that Doling was Garcia. Espinosa also said that the column written by Lastimosa was not malicious as the column did not malign anyone.

Espinosa added that one of the essential elements of libel is to firmly establish the identity of the victim and this character named “Doling” described in the column was not identifiable. — (FREEMAN)