Badoy, Celiz face P2.1 million civil suit

MANILA, Philippines — A former lawmaker yesterday filed a P2.1-million civil suit against Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts Lorraine Marie Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz.

In filing the case, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said Badoy and Celiz have been “falsely, maliciously and repeatedly” accusing him of being involved in terrorism and rebellion as a supposed ranking official of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

“They have been constantly spewing lies, aspersions, inciting ridicule and hate against me, my family, my fellow activists and our legitimate political beliefs and activities,” Casiño said.

He said the reason for filing the case was also for the “sake of other activists and ordinary citizens” victimized by the SMNI.

According to Casiño’s lawyer, Kristina Chi, the civil complaint is for damages under Articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Civil Code, which provide remedies against people who abuse their rights.

Chi enumerated several malicious public statements that “red-tagged and maligned” Casiño.

Among them were the utterances of Badoy and Celiz in their talk show aired on SMNI, allegedly calling Casiño “a liar, a thief, an enabler of criminal and terrorist acts and a risk to national security.”

Chi also cited an open letter of Badoy on Facebook addressed to the parents of students in De La Salle Greenhills, warning them not to let their children go near Casiño due to his supposed involvement in a terrorist group.

Celiz said he remains unperturbed by the civil case, describing the move as a form of “harassment and intimidation.”