Nograles hits back at journalists group

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – House Speaker Prospero Nograles lashed back at the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), which earlier questioned the issuance of the affidavit of desistance for the libel case filed against broadcaster Jun Digamon back in 2001. In a text message, Nograles said his filing of libel complaints against broadcasters who have also violated his right is better than "throwing bombs at their houses or killing them outright." "Libel is a private matter; it's none of their business. This is a 2001 case, they were not victims, so how do they know," Nograles said. The Dabawenyo Speaker advised the NUJP to concentrate its efforts against people who are killing journalists and not on him. "Why have they not gone against those who have killed journalists but went after those who filed libel," he asked. In an earlier statement, the NUJP questioned Nograles's action, which should have been made long time ago. "It is absurd to think that after seven long years of causing distress, trouble, and severe anxiety on Digamon and his family, House Speaker Prospero Nograles now says that he is withdrawing the complaint he filed against him in the spirit of forgiveness and out of own goodwill," the NUJP said. "We say Speaker Nograles should not have filed the libel case at all. We say that this case only shows how libel can be a tool, indeed, to intimidate and harass the working press," the group added. NUJP said that if Nograles is indeed true to his desire to forgive, he should have personally appeared before the court. It was learned that Nograles failed to appear before Branch 17 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) last week for a presentation of evidence on the two counts of libel he filed against Digamon. "We note that since the case was filed in 2001, Speaker Nograles has never showed up in court for such procedure that is required in order for the case to proceed. We note that this process was postponed not just once, but seven times. Notwithstanding these, the case went on for seven years," the NUJP said. The group urged their colleagues to join call to decriminalize libel and for the immediate release of another broadcaster, Alex Adonis, who is now languishing in jail after the court found him guilty of libel that was also filed by Nograles over the Burlesk King issue. "Their case is a sad testament of how harsh the country's libel law has become. We call on fellow journalists to bond and strengthen further our unity. It is important to make a statement that we do not allow acts like these against our ranks to go unchallenged, for the benefit of the working press, for the benefit of the public we serve," the NUJP said. - Sun.Star Davao