Court dismisses libel case versus Tiongko

CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Trial Court has dismissed the criminal case for libel filed by suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama against businessman James Philip Tiongko.

Judge Generosa Labra granted the motion to dismiss filed by prosecutor Alex Gabud after Rama executed an affidavit of desistance. The suspended mayor manifested his disinterest to pursue the case after Tiongko issued a public apology for calling Rama a drug protector.

“The accused, after realizing his grave mistake, has already asked for forgiveness from me and in fact had issued a written apology which I accepted,” Rama’s affidavit of desistance read.

Rama charged Tiongko with libel after the latter called him drug protector at the height of the campaign in 2010. Rama was then vice mayor and running for mayor under the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

Tiongko was then the executive director of Krusada Batok sa Droga. He was also supporting the opposition candidate then. — Mylen P. Manto/FPL (FREEMAN)