CMFR/PHILIPPINES – An associate justice of the Philippine Supreme Court has filed libel charges against a journalist who wrote about his alleged role in his son’s seeking an elective post. This is the first time that a Supreme Court justice has filed a libel case against a journalist. Supreme Court Justices have usually used the court’s contempt power in similar incidents.
In his 10-page complaint-affidavit, Associate Justice Prebistero Velasco Jr. alleged that the article “SC justice in partisan politics?” by Newsbreak news magazine founder and ABS-CBNNews.com editor Maritess Vitug caused “irreparable dishonor, discredit, and contempt” to his family especially his son Lord Allan, who is running for the lone congressional seat in Marinduque province in the upcoming May national elections. Velasco is seeking P1 million in damages. The complaint was filed before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office last 12 March 2010. Continue reading
