The Makati Regional Trial Court on Thursday dismissed libel charges against former and present officers of Manila Standard filed by Enrique Locsin, former Philcomsat director, over a column written by Victor Agustin that appeared in the newspaper’s December 17, 2007 edition.
In a 44-page decision, Makati RTC Branch 60 Presiding Judge Cesar L. Aganon said the prosecution’s witnesses and testimony “do not qualify as preponderant evidence” to grant Locsin’s petition and hold Agustin and the officers of the Standard civilly liable for libel.
Aside from Agustin, the former Editorial Board Chairman of the Standard, also cleared of libel charges were publisher Teodoro “Teddy” L. Locsin Jr. – the complainant’s brother – President Rogelio T. Salazar, and Editor-in-Chief Jojo A. Robles, who were the Standard’s top officers when the case was filed in 2008.
Also acquitted were Standard Managing Editor Ramon L. Tomeldan and Associate Editors Ray S. Enano, Chin Wong, and Cesar Barrioquinto.
In his complaint, Enrique Locsin sued the Standard officers and staff for Agustin’s article titled “Locsin’s Private ATM” in his regular “Cocktales” column, which he said was defamatory and caused him “dishonor, discredit or contempt.”
The complainant also asked for an unspecified amount in damages over Agustin’s column. But Judge Aganon disagreed, saying there was not enough evidence to convict the accused for libel under Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code.
