CA junks GMA libel suit vs. ABS-CBN anchors

MANILA – The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed a ruling by a lower court dismissing a libel case filed by executives of media giant GMA against anchors and officials of its competitor, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation (ABS-CBN).

In its decision promulgated October 28, the CA Third Division affirmed the ruling of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) Branch 104 and dismissed the petition filed by GMA executives over remarks about the use of exclusive video footage.

The case originated in 2004, when Angelo Dela Cruz, a Filipino worker who was held captive by Iraqi insurgents, returned to the Philippines.

ABS-CBN covered live Dela Cruz’s arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Through its subscription with Reuters and CNN, GMA aired ABS-CBN’s exclusive footage of Dela Cruz’s arrival in its “Flash Report” news bulletin aired July 22, 2004.

Five days later, GMA executives Felipe Gozon, Gilberto Duavit Jr., Marissa Flores, Grace Dela Peña-Reyes and John Oliver Manalastas, filed a criminal complaint for libel after ABS-CBN anchors made statements that GMA “stole” ABS-CBN’s exclusive video footage.

The QC RTC said there were no references or descriptive terms that connected the respondents’ statements to any of the GMA officers in their personal capacity.

The CA agreed with the RTC that the GMA executives “were not personally defamed” by the statements of the ABS-CBN anchors. (PNA)

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