Tribune publisher-editor arrested on libel charges

Police arrested the editor-in-chief and publisher of the Daily Tribune yesterday on two charges of libel, filed by the personal lawyer of President Arroyo.

Armed with a warrant, officers from the Western Police District arrested Ninez Cacho Olivarez at her home in Parañaque and detained her after Daily Tribune published a series of articles concerning lawyer Arthur "Pancho" Villaraza and his involvement in the controversial Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 3 project.

In his complaint, Villaraza said the articles – which included a transcript of a taped conversation between project officials and their lawyers – were based on "private conversations" that had been recorded illegally, and said they were "not only hearsay statements, but also inadmissible as evidence."

Olivarez posted P6,000 bail each at two Makati regional trial court branches to get out and fight her case.

Olivares denounced the arrest, which she said was "political persecution" since she has been very vocal in her criticism of the Arroyo’s government.

"Obviously, it’s harassment," she said of her arrest. "This (warrant) stemmed from a libel case filed against me by Pancho Villaraza. And who is Villaraza but the personal lawyer of Gloria Arroyo?"

Olivarez also complained that the speed with which the court issued the arrest warrant did not allow her enough time to file a motion for reconsideration after the Department of Justice last week found probable cause to charge her.

Senior Inspector Virgilio Dacara, chief of WPD-Warrant Section, said Villaraza’s legal counsel a certain Atty. Navarro personally handed over to him a copy of Olivares’ arrest order last Sunday, prompting him to tap his men to serve the court order.

At around 6:30 a.m., SPO2 Fred Ramos, SPO2 Rodrigo Buncan, PO3 Emmanuel Siscar and PO2 Rewell Ramos arrived at Olivares’ house in Parañaque.

When an officer knocked on her door, Olivares said he initially claimed there was an LBC package for her and she should sign the receipt.

"Nung lumabas na ko, sabi nung pulis ma’am sasabihin ko na po yung totoo, aarestuhin po namin kayo," she said.

Olivares went with the police without resistance. Her arrest was booked at around 8:30 a.m. at the WPD-Warrant Section by desk officer SPO2 Pete Ramos.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye denied the case against the Tribune publisher was not suppression of press freedom against opposition media personalities.

"The President herself has repeatedly said she recognizes press freedom in our country," Bunye said. – With Nikko Dizon, Marichu Villanueva, Paolo Romero, AP