Gov sues PB member, broadcasters for libel

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo yesterday filed at the City Prosecutor’s Office three counts of libel against Provincial Board Member Melimoore Saycon and other broadcasters who have blocktime programs in a local radio station.

After a study of evidences collected and collated by his lawyers, Degamo filed the first set of complaints against Saycon and the latter’s fellow broadcasters Meljun Banogon, Jimmy Cataylo and Felix Mateo, among others.

Degamo insisted these people have been allegedly using the airlanes as part of their demolition job against him, considering their affiliations with other politicians in the province.

Degamo said he has been aware that, as a public servant, he should not be onion-skinned. However, he said it was too much for at least six persons to maliciously attack him almost every day after the 2013 elections by airing that he stole money from government coffers, even without basis.

The governor believed he was deprived of his right to respond and that he was never given neither a chance to answer nor rebut the accusations in the same radio stations that these people were on board.

Considering that the attacks were already “below the belt” and even very personal, such as questioning his knowledge of being an engineer, Degamo said he was prompted to file the libel charges against them.

Degamo described their accusations as “stupid”, one of which was that he allegedly stole the P10 million intelligence fund, even if the bulk of the amount was used in the maintenance of peace and order in the province, resulting in the declaration of Negros Oriental as a conflict manageable and development ready province.

Saycon, when asked about the libel suits filed against him and several others, said they have been waiting for this a month ago when they heard it from one of the media interviews with the governor. “Bisan pila pa ka sako ang reklamo ni Gov. Degamo, wala mi mahadlok,” Saycon said.

“Weve been expecting the libel complaint as (Degamo’s) countercharge to the complaints we raised before the Ombudsman in the Visayas regarding the P100-million project in Tanjay City, and another complaint before the Ombudsman in Luzon regarding the P10-million intelligence fund,” he said.

The PB member added that their accusations against the governor were supported with documents and that they will not stop here.

Degamo countered that he will continue to deliver the basic services that his constituents need, such as health concerns, with year-round medical missions, plus education, livelihood, projects and the maintenance of peace and order. (FREEMAN)