The Philippine Entertainment Portal's (PEP.ph) Editor In Chief Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon and Deputy Managing Editor Rachelle Siazon submitted their joint counter-affidavit before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office this Friday afternoon, July 26, 2024.
They were accompanied by their legal counsel Ana Alexandra Castro of Yorac Sarmiento Arroyo Chua Coronel Reyes Law Firm.
It was past one in the afternoon when Maglipon and Siazon swore by their affidavits before Assistant City Prosecutor David Anthony Aranas.
This was in response to the cyberlibel complaint filed by Liza Diño, former chair of Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
In an official statement issued by Atty. Castro, she underlined that there was "no malice" in the publication of PEP's nine-part report on issues involving the FDCP and its former chair.
Here is the official statement of Atty. Castro in full:
"In their Counter-Affidavit filed on 26 July 2024, the PEP editors argued that the complaint should be dismissed because two elements of the crime of cyberlibel are lacking – (1) the allegation by the respondent of a discreditable act or condition concerning the complainant, and (2) the existence of malice on the part of the respondent.
"In particular, element (1) is not present, as the PEP editors did not personally ascribe a discreditable act or condition against the complainant.
"Rather, they merely reported on the information provided by their sources, sans any personal comments or opinions.
"As for element (2), there was no malice in the publication of the subject article, as the same was but a fair and true report, made in good faith, on the issues surrounding the FDCP.
"The said report was also duly supported by relevant documents."