Pasay court convicts Drilon critic for libel

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court has convicted a man who posted libelous online articles against Senator Franklin Drilon in September 2013 and January 2014.

Manuel Mejorada was found guilty of four counts of libel by the Pasay City RTC Branch 188 for posting four online articles intended to expose the senator to “public hatred, dishonor, discredit, contempt and ridicule.”

Mejorada, in his articles, accused Drilon of manipulating the regular procurement process in relation to the construction of Iloilo Convention Center and other infrastructure projects in the province.

In its 33-page decision, the court said “the records of any case is bereft of any showing that Mejorada verified his stories.”

“Accused claimed that his accusations were based on established and documented facts, and yet he never presented any proof of such accusation,” the decision read.

The court sentenced Mejorada of a minimum of two years, four months and one day to a maximum of four years and two months in jail.

Drilon welcomed the court’s decision regarding the case.

“My family and I are grateful that the court’s decision confirms the truth—that Mejorada is merely peddling lies and malicious stories to further whatever ulterior motive he has,” he said in a statement.

The senator noted that he has always believed in and defended press freedom.

“Throughout my career I have always maintained an open and healthy relationship with the media and held them in high regard,” Drilon said.

However, Drilon said this freedom does not guarantee the media or anyone the right to tarnish a reputation of another person.

“To defend my name, my honor and my family, I filed a case against Mr. Mejorada in 2014 for fabricating vitriolic and false accusations against me,” he said. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News