GMA Network sues ABS-CBN for libel, seeks P15M in damages

BY MARIAN GRACE S. RAMOS/BUSINESSWORLD GMA NETWORK, Inc. filed a libel charge against rival ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. for reports that alleged that the Gozon-led firm was behind a rating controversy. GMA Network filed the libel case against ABS-CBN and its employees at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) at 10 a.m. Thursday. ABS-CBN news personalities who were named in the case were DZMM Station Manager Angelo Palmones, DZMM Reporter Junrie Hidalgo, Legal Division Head Maximilian Uy, Bandila Production Head Luchi Cruz-Valdez, Bandila Executive Producer Boyet Agustin and Bandila host Korina Sanchez. Entertainment Live Production Heads Malou Santos and Luis Andrada, Entertainment Live Executive Producer Lani Gutierrez, Entertainment Live and The Buzz head writer Romer Gonzales, The Buzz Executive Producer Nancy Yabut, The Buzz head writer Ian Reyno, and DZMM hosts Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito were also sued. The network is demanding P15 million in damages, of which P10 million covers moral damages, P2.5 million, exemplary damages, P1.5 million, attorney’s fees and P1 million, litigation expenses. GMA Network sued the Lopez-owned company after it accused the Gozon-led firm of meter tampering. "We are not after the monetary results... Branding GMA as manipulator of ratings is just unbearable," GMA-7 legal counsel Gener E. Asuncion told a press conference Thursday. He added that a criminal case against ABS-CBN was also "in the works." Rikki Escudero, GMA assistant vice-president for expansion and production services head said: "In reckless disregard of truth, with malice and in bad faith, and with obvious intent to defame and ridicule GMA Network before the public, ABS-CBN distorted, spliced off, and suppressed the accurate and complete statements of Ms. Reforma." Ms. Escudero was pertaining to the Dec. 19 interview of Mr. Hidalgo, a DZMM reporter, with AGB Nielsen Media Research General Manager Maya F. Reforma, which was used repeatedly in various ABS-CBN programs. In the report, Ms. Reforma apparently referred to GMA Network as the culprit in the alleged rating manipulation in Bacolod City. "Nowhere in Ms. Reforma’s affidavit submitted in court did she accuse or state that the plaintiff GMA-7 cheated in the ratings nor was it involved in ratings manipulation in Bacolod City as alleged by defendant ABS-CBN, or elsewhere," the complaint read. ABS-CBN maintained that Ms. Reforma identified the rival network as the one behind efforts that compromised panel homes in Bacolod City. "It appears that they want to prevent the media from mentioning GMA-7 in connection with cheating in the ratings," ABS-CBN said in a statement which was issued on the same day that its chief finance officer, Miguel Jose T. Navarrete, tendered his resignation. ABS-CBN added that Ms. Reforma’s affidavit submitted to the Quezon City RTC read: "Seventy-nine of the 532 homes interviewed from the six cities were confirmed by panel homes to have been exposed to efforts by GMA." "Filing defamation charges against ABS-CBN diverts attention from the real issue."