Nurse sues cousin for FB posts

CEBU, Philippines - A nurse has filed criminal and civil charges against her cousin for allegedly maligning her on Facebook.

The complainant, a resident of Cansojong, Talisay City, said her cousin, who is also a resident of Cansojong, allegedly wrote “libelous” messages on her Facebook wall.

The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the persons involved due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The complainant said since the defendant has a total of 613 friends as of January 25, 2012 who can access and read messages on her wall and hundreds of extended friends who can read it also, they have probably read the libelous messages as well.

The complainant said the defendant occasionally published blogs, messages and shout-outs on her wall which could be read by her friends.

It was from November 5 to 9, 2011 when the defendant, in conversing with the complainant’s uncle through Facebook, made the libelous messages.

“I am not like the one that is married to a seaman there uncle that would pay men to kiss her in lips,” one of the alleged messages of the defendant read.

The complainant added the defendant kept telling their uncle that she was having an affair with another man despite being married to a seaman.

“The element of publicity is apparent because defendant very well knew that what she writes in her Facebook wall could be read by her 613 friends and their friends as well,” the complaint read. She said the complaint was initially referred to the Office of the Barangay Captain of Cansojong but no amicable settlement was reached.

The complainant asked P1 million against the defendant for moral damages, P300,000 for exemplary damages, P50,000 for attorney’s fees, P10,000 for litigation expenses and P2,5000 for appearance fees. (FREEMAN)