Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Vasquez vs CA 314 SCRA 460


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Vasquez vs CA
314 SCRA 460

Image result for national housing authority logo Philippines

Facts:
            Vasquez is a resident of the Tondo Foreshore Area. He and some families from the area went to see then National Housing Authority (NHA) regarding their complaint against their Barangay Chairman, Jaime Olmedo. After their meeting, he and his companions were interviewed by newspaper reporters.
The next day, the following news article appeared in the newspaper AngTinigng Mass. The article mentions that these people are asking for help since their land was stolen from them by the Olmedo, who had connections with the NHA.
Based on the newspaper article, Olmedo filed a complaint for libel against Vasquez alleging that Vasquez’ statements cast aspersions on him and damaged his reputation.


Issue:
            Whether or not the accused is guilty of libel


Held:
            No.


Ratio:
            Petitioner was able to prove the truth of his charges against the barangay official while the prosecution failed to prove not only that the charges made by petitioner were false but also that petitioner made them with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard of whether they were false or not. If the defamatory matter either constitutes a crime or concerns the performance of official duties, and the accused proves the truth of his charge, he should be acquitted.


Submitted by: G-one T. Paisones
Submitted to: Atty. Cisco Franz S. Maclang

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