Tarlac fiscal junks libel case vs GMA Network

MANILA, Philippines - The city prosecutor’s office of Tarlac City has dismissed the libel complaint filed against GMA Network by a man whose land distribution scheme was featured in the May 30, 2009 episode of GMA’s public affairs program “Imbestigador.”  

According to the resolution dated March 8, 2010, signed by assistant provincial prosecutor Ma. Lourdes Soriano and approved by city prosecutor Hermo Manglicmot, no probable cause was found against the respondents, namely lawyer Felipe Gozon, GMA chairman, president and CEO; Marissa Flores, GMA SVP for news and public affairs; and “Imbestigador” host Miguel Enriquez, executive producer Junie Castillo, researcher Karen Anne Velarde, staffers Anne Alemanya, Marlon Cruz, and Edwin de la Peña, and cameraman Charlie Velasquez.

The respondents were represented by the law firm of Belo, Gozon, Elma, Parel, Asuncion and Lucila or BGE Law.

The “Imbestigador” episode, which featured a story on alleged complaints pinpointing Ruben Soliman as the distributor of vast tracts of land for a meas­ly sum of P500, was deemed fair, objective, and truthful.

The resolution stated: “We found that respondents were in good faith and were doing public service in exposing or denouncing acts involving public deception, after an exhaustive research and verification of facts surrounding the activities featured in the segment.”

Soliman was reportedly behind the release of certificates of occupancy to the supposed land beneficiaries upon payment of P500. He was the signatory in the certificates of occupancy that involved a three-hectare property.