Chavez sues Marcelo, et al. for libel
05/25/2010 A libel complaint was filed by former Solicitor General Francisco “Frank” Chavez yesterday before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against five lawyers belonging to the Firm and two journalists of a major daily newspaper. Chavez sued lawyers Alejandro Alfonso Navarro, F. Arthur Villaraza, Avelino Cruz Jr., former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and Raoul Angangco of the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco Law Office in connection with an article published recently indicating that he did not win a case during Chavez stint as solicitor general. Chavez also included as respondents in the complaint Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) section editor Pergentino Bandayrel and senior business writer Daxim Lucas. Chavez accused the lawyers and the two journalists of committing libel which is punishable under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code. “Said article made it appear that I was incompetent not only as a Solicitor General, but as a lawyer as well. Said article besmirched my reputation which I have carefully protected in my 38 years of law practice,” Chavez said. Chavez was referring to the May 21, 2010 article published in the PDI entitled “The Firm hits back at Chavez.” In the said article, Chavez said Navarro, a senior partner of The Firm, was quoted as saying that his record as former solicitor general was “unblemished by victory.” Navarro admitted that he was speaking on behalf of all the members of The Firm who have not held public office. Navarro made the statement in response to Chavez allegations that some members of The Firm are now positioning themselves for juicy positions in the Aquino administration. Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100525hed2.html |
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