Woman charged for ‘libelous’ FB post

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a woman for allegedly posting libelous statements in her account on Facebook, a social networking site.

Prosecutor II Ricky Jones Macabaya said evidence showed that there was enough ground that warrants the filing of libel case before the court against the woman (name being withheld by The FREEMAN).

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is respectfully recommended that respondent be charged for the crime of libel. Hereto attached in the corresponding information for approval and filing in court,” the resolution reads.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a resident of Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City and live-in partner of the brother of the accused.

The complainant filed a libel case against the accused and her sister, alleging that the siblings conspired with each other and fabricated story to humiliate her by saying that she was one of the people who arranged a plot to kill their mother so they can easily “get money.”

The said libelous statement was allegedly read by the complainant on July 1, 2014 when she opened her Facebook account.

Because of that, the complainant said she suffered sleepless nights.

Macabaya directed the respondents to submit their counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence, but the two did not heed.

“Subpoenas, together with copies of the complaints were sent to the respondents. However, to date, no counter-affidavit was filed by them. As such, this case will be resolved on the basis of evidence presented by the complainant as respondents are deemed to have waived the presentation of their evidence,” the resolution reads.

Macabaya recommended P6,000 bail for the temporary liberty of the accused.

The prosecutor cleared the accused’s sister from the charges for lack of probable cause, considering that she was not the author of the libelous post on the social networking site.  —/NSA) (FREEMAN)