QC prosecutor orders filing of libel raps vs. PDI editors, reporters

The Quezon City Prosecutor's Office has ordered the filing of libel charges against editors and reporters of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) for involving dzBB anchorman Melo del Prado in the pork barrel scam in 2014.

The court found probable cause to file three counts of libel cases against PDI Publisher Raul Pangalangan, Managing Editor Jose Ma. Nolasco, Associate Editor for Online Abelardo Ulanday, and News Editor Artemio Engracia Jr.

PDI reporters Nancy Carvajal and Christine Avendaño, meanwhile, were ordered charged with two counts of libel, while the late Editor-in-chief Letty Magsanoc was no longer held liable.

Del Prado filed complaints of libel against the PDI editors and reporters based on the newspaper's reports from March 19 to 21 in 2014, that the dzbb anchor benefitted from the pork barrel scam in the guise of advertising funds through the National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR).

Del Prado included former NABCOR officials Rhodora Mendoza and Victor Cacal in his complaint.

In their separate affidavits, Mendoza and Cacal denied that the advertising funds paid to Del Prado came from the pork barrel.

The prosecutor's office also found that it was not true that the PDI based its reports on the affidavit supposedly filed by Mendoza and Cacal before the Office of the Ombudsman.

It also found that after the first story implicating Del Prado in the pork barrel scam came out on Mar. 19, 2014, Mendoza clarified to Carvajal that the advertising funds paid to the dzBB anchorman had nothing to do with the pork barrel scam.

Despite this, the PDI pushed through with the publication of the stories on March 20 and 21.

The prosecutor's office also cited the statement of the newspaper's publisher that they are standing by their stories and that these were based on its investigations.

Del Prado's lawyer, Reginald Francisco, meanwhile, said that the advertising funds were used by NABCOR to feature its Bagsakan Centers Project.

Francisco said that the initiative was also advertised in the PDI and its sister publication, Bandera in 2009.

He assured that the transaction between Del Prado and NABCOR was legitimate.

Francisco had said that the accusations against Del Prado clearly made a dent on his career as a broadcast journalist.

“This is the worst accusation you can make against a broadcaster or any media professional for that matter as it penetrates deep into the heart of his persona, honor and credibility,” he said.

“The accusations were baseless from the very beginning as all our evidence will bear,” Francisco said.

He said all contracts between NABCOR and GMA were put into account including billing invoices, vouchers, official receipts, and corresponding taxes withheld.

“Kumpleto kami sa lahat ng katibayan pati kontrata at tseke ng Nabcor sa PDI. Anong payoff ang pinagsasabi nila? Sila mismo kumita sa lehitimong ad campaign na iyan,” Francisco said.

A separate investigation conducted by GMA Network in 2014, “found no basis to say that Del Prado, while working as an anchorman of GMA/DZBB, received any payoff from any legislator’s pork barrel.”

GMA News reached the office of Nolasco, but it gave no comments on the prosecutor's resolution. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News