Four radio broadcasters in Iloilo are facing libel and other complaints filed by the director of the Department of Education (DepEd-6) before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Named respondents in the complaints are Henry Lumawag, Novie Guazo, Regan Arlos, and Israel Vincent “Don” Dolido of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN-Iloilo).
Ramir Uytico, education chief in Western Visayas, accused the veteran commentators of committing the crime of libel and violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Safe Spaces Act, and the Data Privacy Act.
The complaints stemmed from commentaries made by Lumawag, Guazo, Arlos and Doledo on their radio programs on the performance of Uytico as head of DepEd’s regional office.
According to Uytico, the respondents used words that “maligned, demeaned, and damaged my person, character, and honor.”
“Such malicious imputation not only caused damage and reputation to DepEd-6 but also caused pain and embarrassment to his person and his family,” he stated.
Lumawag is the anchorman of Palabra de Honor, Guazo and Arlos are Straight to the Point hosts, and Doledo hosts Targetanay sa Udto.
The four considered the move of Uytico as “harrassment” and a “direct attack on the freedom of the press.”
Guazo said they are ready to face the complaints lodged against them.
Lumawag appeared before Prosecutor Noel Siosan Jr. on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Arlos and Guazo were ordered to go to Prosecutor Kareen de la Cruz on Friday, Feb. 23, while Dolido was directed to appear before Prosecutor Gladys Pearl Palarica on the same day.IMT
