Ex-solon pleads not guilty to libel

CEBU, Philippines - Former ANAD partylist Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. pleaded not guilty in the libel case filed by retired Customs collector David Odilao Jr. during his arraignment Monday.

Alcover was assisted by his lawyer when the information of the case was read to him before Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Ma. Lynna Adviento.

Adviento earlier issued the warrant of arrest against Alcover after the latter's indictment by the prosecutor's office of the criminal complaint. Alcover is temporarily out on bail.

Odilao sued Alcover for libel because of alleged "defamatory and untruthful statements" attributed to the latter in the news article which saw print on April 10, 2010.

Odilao said that in the alleged libelous article written by Elias Baquero, Alcover accused him of having no personality to represent ANAD Partylist because he is not anymore a member after he was allegedly kicked out. Alcover also accused Odilao in the news article that he was only after the organization's money.

Odilao included Baquero and Sun Star editor-in-chief Isolde Amante in the complaint. However, prosecutor Benjo Luther Macion, of the Talisay City Prosecutor's Office, dismissed the complaint against Baquero and Amante for lack of evidence.— (FREEMAN)