Court junks case vs teacher in viral traffic video

MANILA, Philippines — A Quezon City court has dismissed the case filed against a teacher for allegedly spreading false information for uploading a viral video of a traffic jam allegedly caused by a “VIP” convoy.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 104 ordered the case against Janus Munar dismissed as it quashed the amended information filed by the police.

The court granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Munar’s lawyer on charges of violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code.

The provision penalizes any person who publishes “false news, which may endanger public order or cause damage to the interest of the state.”

The viral video showed motorists at a standstill due to the closure of a portion of Commonwealth Avenue, supposedly for the convoy of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Duterte denied the story and said that she was in Mindanao for the World Teachers’ Day when the incident took place.