Warrants of arrest released against Guru Press editors for ‘cyber-libel’ charges

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Warrants of arrest against Guru Press editors, Brent Martinez and Ghumie Pinkihan, were released this afternoon of August 27, 2021, in relation to the cyber libel charge of Mayor Darwin Estranero of Tabuk City on 2 articles published about the mayor and alleged overpriced supplies bought during the onset of the pandemic.

According to their legal counsel, Atty. Errol Comafay, the complaint has a relation to the issue of the famous P12,000 a piece thermal scanner bought by the City LGU whose retail price range from 300-400 pesos.

Around 2 in the afternoon this Friday, the warrant of arrest for two counts of cyber libel were released, and as Martinez mentioned in previous weeks, they voluntarily surrendered. Because of the voluntary surrender and the bail posted, the arrest warrants issued were recalled.

The editors posted bail of P192,000.00 each for two counts of libel.

The arraignment and pre-trial of the accused is set on September 17, 2021 at 8.30 in the morning.

Meantime, Pinkihan and Martinez thanked those who have sent their help, especially the moral support and the prayers.

"The truth cannot be imprisoned. One day, we will wake up and find this part of history in Tabuk City's fight for freedom of the press and the cry for truth. God be with us all," said Martinez.

Recently, the City Prosecutor’s Office recommended a ‘full-blown trial’ for Martinez and Pinkihan for two articles published by Guru Press Cordillera on July 2, 2020, and August 2, 2020.

The two articles stated as libelous were ‘TABUK CITY: RESIDENTS FILE CHARGE AGAINST MAYOR ESTRANERO FOR OVERPRICED MEDICAL SUPPLIES’ and ‘CLAIM THAT NO AVAILABLE THERMAL SCANNERS IN TABUK CITY IN MARCH 2020, NOT TRUE – DRUG STORE OWNERS ASSOCIATION’.

The case filed against the Guru Press editors stemmed from the complaint of Mayor Darwin Estrañero, claiming that the articles were published to malign his reputation.

Motion for reconsideration denied

Earlier this August, Martinez and Pinkihan through counsel, Atty. Errol Comafay, filed a motion for reconsideration with a motion for inhibition at the City Prosecutor’s Office, stressing that the 2 articles found to be libelous are considered privileged communication ‘since they are fair reports on matters of public interest involving the actions of a public official in the discharge of his public function’.

However, the motion for reconsideration was denied on August 25, 2021.

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