Local editor jailed for contempt

An editor of a local paper in Naga City, southeast of Manila, was sent to prison for indirect contempt last July 20.

Jose Perez, editor-in-chief of the weekly Bicol Mail, was sentenced to a 90-day jail term and a P30, 000-fine (US$ 536) by Judge Felimon Montenegro of the Naga regional trial court for publishing an article that was damaging to the reputation of the judge. Montenegro immediately declared Perez guilty in an open court after giving the latter time to air his side, reported the Bicol Mail (http://www.bicolmail.com).

The subject of the contempt case was the banner story in the July 14 issue of the paper: “Witness vs. Judge Montenegro—Money changed hands in Naga ejectment case.” The controversial story was published a day before Montenegro issued the order that denied Naga City local government of their motions for reconsideration, inhibition, and new trial.

In a letter submitted to Montenegro explaining why he should not be held in contempt, Perez said the story was based on a public document with public interest and was not intended to malign Montenegro’s integrity.

For his part, Montenegro said the paper did a “blatant irresponsible reporting” because it failed to present all sides in the story.

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