Ilocos Sur court dismisses damage suit vs GMA Network

MANILA, Philippines - The regional trial court (RTC) of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur has dismissed the complaint for damages filed in 2009 by then Narvacan mayor Edgardo Zaragoza against GMA Network, represented by chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, together with Primera Balita reporter Roland Umangay and executive producer Redeza Pidlaoan.

Zaragoza filed a civil action for damages after Primera Balita – the local morning newscast of GMA North Central Luzon – aired a news report containing an interview with Felicidad Canosa Sabalburo, which the then mayor claimed to be libelous.

Sabalburo, a resident of Sulvec, Narvacan, was involved in a civil case allegedly decided in favor of Zaragoza, who filed the case in behalf of the municipality of Narvacan.

In the report, Zaragoza claimed he was purportedly portrayed as a land grabber which was defamatory because it damaged his image and credibility as a politician.

In a decision last May 14, RTC Judge Gina Juan Chan ruled that the news report pertained to the official acts of Zaragoza as then incumbent mayor, which is a matter of public concern, and not in his personal capacity.

The court found that the report of Umangay indeed made a narration or commentary but it considered it as fair commentary on matters of public interest that is privileged and constitutes a valid defense in an action for libel or slander.

The court also did not find the news report malicious as Umangay was able to prove by evidence that his report was based on established facts, adding that Zaragoza, being a public officer, is a public figure who “must not be too onion-skinned with reference to comments upon his official acts.”