Rama withdraws libel case vs Tiongko

CEBU, Philippines - Suspended Mayor Michael Rama has issued an affidavit of desistance to withdraw the criminal case for libel he filed against businessman James Philip Tiongko.

Rama executed the affidavit before the Regional Trial Court Branch 23 where the case is pending after Tiongko made a public apology for calling him a “drug protector.”

Tiongko earlier moved for the dismissal of the case claiming that he had already make amends with the mayor. Judge Generosa Labra gave him until December 8 to submit Rama’s affidavit of desistance before ruling on the motion.

Rama in his affidavit manifested that he is no longer interested in pursuing the case.

“The accused, after realizing his grave mistake, has already asked for forgiveness from me and in fact had issued a written apology which I accepted,” the affidavit read.

Rama filed a case for libel against Tiongko after the latter accused him of being drug protector at the height of the 2010 election campaign.

Tiongko, who was then executive director of Krusada Batok sa Droga, alleged that Rama is “public enemy number one” for protecting a convicted drug pusher.

On July 1, Tiongko went to court and submitted a letter of apology to Rama. He said he had also made a verbal apology to the mayor and the latter asked him to put it into writing.

“So I say that if my actions and words have caused you and your family hurt, anger, embarrassment, and shame, I offer my sincere apologies. And to you “Mike” I say sorry,” the letter read. — Mylen P. Manto/FPL (FREEMAN)