Social Media Criticism Leads to Cyber Libel Conviction in Ormoc City

A recent incident in Ormoc City, Leyte serves as a sharp warning of the dangers of sharing anything online without giving them considerable thought. A regional trial court judge found someone guilty of cyber libel for criticizing then-Mayor Richard Gomez on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic's early phases. Gomez, a well-known actor, is currently the congressman for Leyte's fourth congressional district.

Julis Bactol Tahanlangit, a returning overseas Filipino worker, was sentenced to an indeterminate period of imprisonment ranging from a minimum of six months and one day to a maximum of five years, five months, and 11 days. In addition, he was ordered to pay Gomez PHP300,000 (US$5,493.95) in moral damages, with legal interest at the rate of six percent per annum.

Gomez was criticized by Tahanlangit for his "sluggish attitude and lack of true heart to help" during the epidemic in May 2020. Tahanlangit asserted that Ormoc was the only local government unit that did not send vehicles to pick up its returning foreign workers. Moreover, Tahanlangit said that Gomez was unable to provide transportation after their arrival at Tacloban airport on May 25.

However, during the trial, Tahanlangit admitted that it was, in fact, the Ormoc LGU that provided service vehicles for him and his companions the following morning. Furthermore, they waited for less than 24 hours at a hotel in Tacloban City before being picked up by the Ormoc LGU, with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration covering their meals.

Tahanlangit was found to have posted the false remarks on Facebook with actual malice in mind, according to the judge's ruling. The accused's comments were no longer relevant to his purported goal of asking the LGU-Ormoc City for assistance, according to the court, and there was no proof that he made any attempt to get in touch with the LGU to find out why the delay occurred. The judge also condemned Tahanlangit for humiliating and ridiculing Gomez by making fun of his prior acting roles and presenting him as unable to carry out his duties as a municipal chief executive during a time of tight adherence to government etiquette.