PDI editors, reporters arraigned on libel filed by dzBB anchor

Reporters and editors from the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) were arraigned on libel Wednesday at the Quezon City Trial Court Branch 87.

A report on Balitanghali said PDI reporters Nancy Carvajal and Christine Avendaño, Managing Editor Jose Ma. Nolasco, Associate Editor for Online Abelardo Ulanday, and News Editor Artemio Engracia Jr. pleaded not guilty to libel charges filed by dzBB anchor Melo del Prado.

Nolasco maintained that the libel case held no basis, the report said.

Publisher Raul Pangalangan was unable to attend the arraignment because he is currently a judge at the International Criminal Court.

The case stemmed from the newspaper's reports from March 19 to 21 in 2014 that alleged Del Prado accepted bribes from the pork barrel scam in the guise of advertising funds through the National Agri-Business Corporation.

The Quezon City Prosecutor's Office had ordered the filing of the libel charges last April. —report from Allan Gatus/Jessica Bartolome/ALG, GMA News