MANILA, 29 December 2006 — Thirty-six Filipino editors, columnists and reporters yesterday filed a class-action suit against the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, accusing him of abusing his rights by filing multiple libel cases against them.
First gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, a lawyer, has filed several libel cases against 45 journalists since 2003. He is demanding at least 141 million pesos ($2.87 million) in damages in the separate cases.
Alarmed by what they called a “chilling effect” the cases had on the local media, the journalists have banded together by filing class suit and seeking 12.5 million pesos in damages.
In a joint statement, the journalists said the amount they are seeking is just “symbolic.”
“The value of what we stand for, fair reporting and press freedom, is far beyond this figure. We want to make the point that such behavior or conduct has a price. We want to discourage others from behaving the same way the first gentleman does,” they said.
Among those who filed the case were editors, columnists and reporters of the news dailies Philippine Daily Inquirer, Malaya and Tribune, and the news magazine Newsbreak.
The president’s husband has been linked to various government-related anomalies even though he does not hold public office.
The journalists stressed that since he is a public figure, “he is fair game” and should not be too sensitive when scrutinized in news articles concerning his influence in the government.
“Clearly, Mr. Arroyo wants to silence the press,” the journalists said in their statement.
“His actions have a chilling effect on the media. As a lawyer, he knows the jurisprudence on libel yet he goes against the admonition of the courts not to be thin-skinned.”
With input from agencies
