The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the dismissal of a libel case filed by GMA Network executives against anchors and executives of ABS-CBN, bringing a significant chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the two media giants to a close.
The libel suit originated from a 2004 incident in which ABS-CBN accused GMA Network of stealing its exclusive video coverage of the return of an overseas Filipino worker who had been held hostage in Iraq. GMA executives filed the libel case in response to these allegations.
In an earlier ruling, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted a demurrer to evidence submitted by ABS-CBN, effectively acquitting the respondents. Those acquitted included prominent ABS-CBN personalities and executives such as Erwin Tulfo, Beth Frondoso, Lynda Jumilla, Maria Progena Estonilo Reyes, Annie Eugenio, Dondi Garcia, Eugenio Lopez III, Luis Alejandro, Jose Ramon Olives, Jake Maderazo, Luisita Cruz-Valdes, Jing Magsaysay Jr., and Pal Marquez.
The RTC determined that the prosecution failed to establish the crucial element of identification in the libel case. The court noted that there were “no references or descriptive terms that connected the statements to any of GMA’s officers in their personal capacity.” It emphasized the legal principle that a corporation is a separate entity from its directors, officers, and stockholders.
Dissatisfied with the RTC’s decision, GMA Network appealed to the Court of Appeals in an attempt to reverse the acquittal. However, in a 37-page decision dated October 28, the CA denied the appeal, citing the respondents’ constitutional protection against double jeopardy.
The CA stated, “When a person is charged with an offense and the case is terminated either by acquittal or conviction or in any other manner without the consent of the accused, the latter cannot again be charged with the same or identical offense.”
The appellate court further upheld the RTC’s finding that the prosecution failed to prove all the essential elements of libel. “Assuming that an error was committed by the public respondent, such error was a mere error of judgment and not of jurisdiction. It does not justify the issuance of a writ of certiorari,” the CA noted.
The decision underscores the importance of meeting all legal requirements in libel cases and reinforces the protection against double jeopardy enshrined in the constitution.
Representatives from GMA Network and ABS-CBN have yet to issue official statements regarding the Court of Appeals’ ruling.
