The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ruled in favor of journalist Atom Araullo, ordering former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz to pay him P2 million in damages over defamatory statements linking him and his family to communist groups.
In a 27-page decision, the RTC Branch 306 found that Badoy and Celiz abused their right to free speech, emphasizing that freedom of expression does not cover defamatory or baseless accusations.
“The right to free speech is not absolute; it imposes limitations on its exercise to ensure that it will not impinge upon the rights of others. It does not protect defamatory statements,” the court stated.
The ruling described red-tagging as a form of harassment and intimidation, citing previous Supreme Court decisions. By labeling Araullo as associated with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) without evidence, Badoy and Celiz harmed the journalist’s reputation and credibility, the court said.
“These labels and remarks went beyond mere editorial opinion or fair commentary and, worse, incited backlash, threats and public hatred toward the plaintiff,” the court added.
The court ordered Badoy and Celiz to jointly pay P2 million in nominal, moral, and exemplary damages, as well as P10,000 in attorney’s fees. All damages are subject to a 6% annual interest from the date of the ruling’s finality until fully paid.
The RTC also highlighted that the red-tagging disrupted Araullo’s family relations, publicly humiliated him and his mother, and violated his right to peace of mind.
Araullo and his mother, Carol Araullo, were red-tagged in a series of public statements and broadcasts from early 2022 to January 2023. Allegations aired on Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) and shared on social media included claims that Araullo was the “spawn” of an “active CPP Central Committee leader.”
Araullo filed the case, citing the severe impact on his personal and professional reputation as a journalist.
In separate statements, both Badoy and Celiz criticized the court’s decision, alleging that they were denied the opportunity to present their evidence or participate in hearings.
Badoy described the ruling as a “temporary setback” and claimed it was based on a technicality.
“I lost this case on a mere technicality… I wasn’t allowed to utter one word in court nor were we able to present any evidence or witness because of this technicality,” Badoy said, vowing to appeal the decision.
Celiz called the ruling an “apparent miscarriage of justice,” asserting that he and Badoy were held in default by the RTC, which prevented them from presenting their case.
“The case proceeded while we were being put in a situation of forced ‘absentia’ in court hearings,” Celiz said, adding that they plan to pursue legal remedies.
Both Badoy and Celiz indicated their intent to appeal the decision.
