Tionko surrenders to court, posts bail

CEBU, Philippines - A businessman whom Mayor Michael Rama earlier charged for libel yesterday showed up at the court to surrender and post bail.

Regional Trial Court Judge Generosa Labra has issued a warrant of arrest against James Philip Tionko in relation to the libel case Rama filed against him on April 28 for calling the latter a “drug lord protector” in the height of the campaign in the 2010 elections.

Last week, the warrant was returned to the court after the police who implemented it failed to locate the businessman at his residence at Maryville Subdivision, Talamban, Cebu City.

 Tionko went to the sala of Labra yesterday to surrender and posted a bail of P10,000 for his temporary liberty.

Labra issued the warrant of arrest against Tionko on May 14, 2011 for the libel case filed by Rama after she found probable cause against the businessman and to issue a warrant of arrest.

Tionko ran for councilor in Cebu City as an independent candidate in 2010, but lost.

Rama filed libel case against Tionko, claiming the latter made libelous statements against him during the campaign period which the businessman has vehemently denied.

Tionko added the allegations that Rama is a “drug lord protector” did not originate from him, claiming he based his statements against Rama on printed reports that reportedly point to former mayor and now Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña as the one who called Rama as such. (FREEMAN)