DOJ okays libel raps vs BCDA execs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the indictment of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chairman Arnel Casanova and other executives of the state-run firm over the P100-million libel complaint filed by the private developer of Camp John Hay in Baguio City. 

In an 11-page resolution released last Friday, the investigating fiscal found probable cause in the libel complaint filed by Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) executives over a BCDA advertisement published in another newspaper in April last year that accused them of “double sale of a log home in Camp John Hay.” 

After a preliminary investigation, Pasig City assistant prosecutor Joselito de Asas held that the publication of the paid ad entitled “Notice to All Unit Owners, Lessees and Buyers in Camp John Hay” was malicious and deliberately aimed to smear the reputation not only of CJHDevCo but also of the firm’s chairman, Robert John “Bob” Sobrepeña, and his family’s other companies like College Assurance Plan. 

“A circumspect reading of the subject publication show… that it does not entirely contain matters concerning the status of CJHDevCo, but also touches on the other business affairs of the complainant that do not seem germane to the position of CJHDevCo,” read the resolution approved by Pasig City prosecutor Jacinto Ang. 

The prosecutor filed the libel complaint against Casanova before the Pasig City regional trial court.

Also indicted for libel were BCDA board directors Felicito Payumo, Zorayda Amelia Alonzo, Teresita Desierto, Ma. Aurora Geotina Garia, Ferdinand Golez, Elmar Gomez, and Maximo Sangil. 

The fiscal recommended a bail of P10,000 for each of the respondents.