Radioman faces libel over drug lord tag

CEBU, Philippines - A radio commentator is facing charges before the court for allegedly calling the husband of Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho a drug lord.

City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas held Reynante 'Rey' Cortes of dyRC for trial after finding probable cause to hold him liable for the crime of libel.

"On the basis of the sworn statement and other documents submitted before me there exist a reasonable ground to believe that the crime charged has been committed and that the accused is probably guilty thereof," she said.

Rabillas set a P10,000 bail for Cortes’ temporary liberty.

Bong Hwan Cho alias Charlie Cho, who is also president of the Korean Association of Cebu, alleged that in dyRC radio program Ingkwentro, Cortes tagged him as being a drug lord and drug protector in Cordova, the  one behind the proliferation and distribution of illegal drugs in the town.

In his counter-affidavit, Cortes claimed that he has several sources who reported of Cho's illegal drug involvement.

Prosecutor II Jennifer Karen Alo-Leyson, who resolved the complaint, found sufficient evidence to indict Cortes, pointing out that his claim was “unsubstantiated.”

"As it stands, Cho has successfully established that the elements of the crime charged concur. The uncorrobarated and unsubstantiated defense advanced by Cortes deserves little credence. Thus, probable cause exists to indict respondent Cortes for the crime of libel," read the resolution.

Cortes sought the reversal of the resolution by filing a motion for reconsideration, which Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Luisa Ratilla denied.

Rabillas upheld Ratilla’s decision, finding “no cogent reason” to overturn the ruling. (FREEMAN)