Mayor files libel cases vs 3 Dagupan broadcasters

By Leander C. Domingo

DAGUPAN CITY -- Three radio broadcasters here are facing multiple counts of libel and cyberlibel charges filed by the mayor of the municipality of Mangaldan in Pangasinan.
    Mangaldan town Mayor Marilyn de Guzman-Lambino was accompanied by her counsel, lawyer Joseph Frianeza, when she filed the complaint before the City Prosecutor's Office here on March 8.
    The respondents in the libel case filed by de Guzman-Lambino are radio commentators Joel Balolong of DWCM Aksyon Radyo 1161 AM, Tito Tamayo of DWIZ 89.3 FM and Dennis Mojares of DWJE 88.1 FM.
    The libel cases stemmed from the "malicious" and "brutal" commentaries of the broadcasters when Lambino and her husband, lawyer Raul Lambino, were accused of rape, child abuse and physical injuries before the Office of the Ombudsman on Jan. 4, 2022 by allegedly fictitious complainants.
    De Guzman-Lambino's husband is the presidential adviser for Northern Luzon and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator and chief executive officer.
    The Lambinos sought the help of the Dept. of Justice and other law enforcement authorities to unmask the true identities of the complainants and later discovered that the mother and daughter are inexistent and fictitious.
    The three broadcasters reportedly discussed extensively in their respective radio programs the "fabricated rape" issue, including personal tirades that allegedly besmirched the reputation of the Lambino couple.
    "This is just the initial list of broadcasters as there are more newsmen in Pangasinan and in Metro Manila who are set to face libel and cyberlibel charges," Frianeza said.