Fiscal "not contented," wants 2 tabloids charged

CEBU, Philippines - State Prosecutor Aida Sanchez, Deputy member of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CCAIB), is not contented with Acting Cebu City Prosecutor Nelia Sistoso’s decision to recommend the filing of two cases against respondents from Superbalita and dismissed the charges against Banat News regarding the alleged obscene publications printed in both tabloids.

Sanchez, explained she is both happy and sad and would be totally happy if the two tabloids will be charged in court.

“I’m not contented about the decision…they should be sued in court,” she said.

However, Sanchez claimed that when she made their motion for reconsideration, she failed to thoroughly discuss the article “Handuman sa Pista” printed in Banat News as they lacked series five.

She added that she asked Dr. Lucelle Mercado, chairperson of CCAIB, for the fifth part of the series but the latter gave her the fourth.

Sanchez said they will discuss with the board regarding what action to take on the dismissal of the complaint filed against Banat News.

Sistoso recommended the filing of the Information for a violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Presidential Decree 969 before the Regional Trial Court and Information to be filed before the Municipal Trial Court for violation of City Ordinance No. 1408 against Superbalita for its “Kabit” issue.

Sistoso said the article “Kabit” published in Superbalita “depicts nothing but the sexual behavior and demeanor of the characters in the story (Jos and Edith).”

Sistoso dismissed the case against Banat News for Handuman sa Pista with respondents editor-in-chief- Juanito Jabat, writer Cindy Jones and President Miguel Belmonte for lack of probable cause.

Sanchez also pointed out the difference with this recent development in their case against the two tabloids.

“Do you see the difference between a male and a female,” she said referring to Prosecutor Ferdinand Collantes who first dismissed CCAIB’s complaint.

Sanchez appealed to the tabloids not to print indecent and obscene publications because of the possibility that minors will come across the said materials.

She added that profit was the purpose of the said publications.  (FREEMAN)