Court of Appeals junks FG suit vs journalists

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) has junked the petition of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to dismiss the P12.5-million damage suit filed by journalists against him.

The class action suit was filed in protest against the string of libel suits Arroyo filed against journalists in 2003. Arroyo dropped all 10 suits against 45 members of the press after surviving high-risk heart surgery in 2007. 

In a 23-page decision, the ninth division of the appeals court dismissed Arroyo’s petition for review, upholding the decision of Judge Zenaida Galapate-Laguilles of the Makati Regional Trial Court   branch 143.

Laguilles denied Arroyo’s motion to dismiss the damage suit because the journalists failed to answer the written interrogatories within the extended period.

The CA said the delay could be excused because the respondents are represented by a single law firm, making it difficult for their counsel to coordinate with all of them.

“We find that the delay is excusable by force of circumstance… Private respondents’ (newsmen) filing of motions for extension of time to answer the written interrogatories and request for admission clearly speak of their due diligence to comply with the same,” CA Associate Justice Sesinando Villon said.

Among those joining the damage suit were Ellen Tordesillas, Minnie Advincula, Regina Bengco, JP Lopez, Lito Banayo, Ninez Cacho-Olivares, Marites Vitug, Glenda Gloria, Ricky Carandang, Romulo Mariñas, Gina Capili-Inciong, Gerry Baldo, Sherwin Olaes, Lito Tugadi, Jing Santos, Rustico Otico, Maria Concepcion Cruz, Miriam Grace Go, Ma. Romina Gonzalez;

Ma. Cristina Rodriguez, Yvonne Chua, Alcuin Papa, Ramon Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, William Esposo, Jose Pavia, Rowena Paraan, Sweet May Cawicaan, Jofelle Tesorio, Jose Bimbo Santos, Rachel Khan, Francisco Tatad, Conrado de Quiros, Nixon Cua and Vergel Santos. – Edu Punay