BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – If he has his way, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas wants Department of Education-Region 6 (DepEd-6) director Dr. Ramir Uytico removed from his position due to the “great controversy” caused by the latter’s filing of cyber libel charges against four local broadcasters.
“It is my personal opinion that it would be better if he (Uytico) is reassigned to another region so that we can get someone else who will be more effective in taking care of the educational needs of our children,” said Treñas.
Uytico accused Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Iloilo broadcasters Israel Vincent “Don” Dolido, Henry Lumawag, Novie Guazo, and Regan Arlos of committing libel under the Revised Penal Code and Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The DepEd-6 official, in his complaint filed before the Office of the Iloilo City Prosecutor on Feb. 7, alleged the respondents’ commentaries on their radio programs “ruined my person, demeaned my honor, and tarnished my reputation with his insulting invectives.”
Ronel Sorbito, RMN Iloilo station manager, labeled the libel suit against his anchormen as a “direct attack on the freedom of the press.”
In a statement, Sorbito said Uytico should not be onion-skinned when faced with media criticism.
“It is his responsibility to face the issues and questions at hand, as it is the right of the public to know his explanation,” said Sorbito.
In his about four decades in public service, Treñas had said his actions and decisions were also criticized by media members.
“I have never filed any criminal case of libel against any member of legitimate media since I understand that is their job. The members of the RMN Team have criticized me in many of my actions,” said Treñas in a statement.
“That is their job. I always take it in stride. I want to make it clear that in their fight against the Dep Ed Regional Director, I strongly stand behind the RMN commentators,” the mayor added.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Iloilo chapter also condemned the filing of libel complaints against the four broadcasters.
NUJP-Iloilo said the concerned commentaries, including Uytico’s performance as agency head, are legitimate issues of public significance and therefore subject to reportage and opinion.
“We maintain that the right to free expression and press freedom is paramount especially when it involves public officials and the exercise of their functions,” the NUJP-Iloilo said.
“The media has a vital role to play in conveying information to the public and in holding those in power accountable,” the journalists’ group said./PN
