DOJ OKs libel charges vs. ex-Top Gear PHL editor over FB post

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of charges against the former editor-in-chief of Top Gear Philippines in relation to an online libel complaint against him.

Acting on a complaint by a Nestor Punzalan, who was wrongly tagged by Top Gear Philippines as the killer of a cyclist in 2016, the DOJ found probable cause to indict Vernon Sarne for violation of the libel provision of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

"He admitted having posted the subject photo and video of complainant's vehicle and assumed full responsibility on the said act," read part of the nine-page resolution dated April 25, 2017.

It added that the alleged offense checked off all elements to be considered libel.

The DOJ cleared other respondents, Top Gear Philippines officers Dinzo Tabamo, Tracy Carpena, Jeffrey Reyes, and Adelbert Christopher De Jesus, for Punzalan's alleged failure to establish their involvement in the uploading of the controversial post.

The case was referred to the City Prosecutor of Manila on February 23.

Punzalan filed the complaint against Top Gear Philippines editors with the National Bureau of Investigation in August 2016, less than a month after he became the subject of netizens' bullying due to the misidentification.

Authorities have earlier cleared Punzalan of wrongdoing, instead tracing the cyclist and gaming attendant Mark Vincent Geralde's killing in 2016 to ex-Army reservist Vhon Tanto.

Sarne, who sought the complaint's dismissal, has previously said he was taking "full responsibility" for posting the link to Punzalan's Facebook profile and photo of his car.

"The buck stops here. This is all my fault," he had written in a comment. —JST, GMA News