Broadcaster faces 5 counts of cyber libel, posts bail

CEBU, Philippines — Broadcaster Edward Ligas has posted P50,000 bail to avoid arrest after his indictment for five counts of cyber libel.

Ligas said he posted P10,000 for each count of cyber libel that businesswoman Maria Priscilla Melendres had filed against him.

“Naka post ko og bail pag September 6, 2024. Unya gipa post ko og bail sa korte at P10,000 each case or P50,000 ang tanan nako nga nabayran,” said Ligas.

Ligas bailed himself before the court before the arrest warrant could be served against him. The charges stemmed from the complaints filed by Melendres for violation of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or republic Act 10175.

Melendres accused Ligas of making defamatory statements during his radio broadcast. According to Melendres, the broadcaster accused her of being a “land grabber”, a “scammer”, a member of a professional squatting syndicate, and other malicious accusations that maligned her reputation.

Lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan, counsel for Melendres, vowed to prosecute Ligas to the fullest extent of the law possible.

“All that Ms. Melendres wants is vindication, and for Ligas to stop attacking her person,” Ligutan added.

Ligas said he was already arraigned on September 16, 2024 where he pleaded not guilty on all five counts of cyber libel.

According to Ligas, Melendres also filed two other cases against him for violation of the “Bastos Law” but these were allegedly dismissed.

“Mao ni ang lima ang nahabilin. But I am confident nga ma dismissed ra gihapon ni,” said Ligas, who is also an international boxing judge. –FPL (CEBU NEWS)