Radio broadcaster Salvador “Jun” Capulot, Jr. is facing up to six years in prison after he was found guilty of three counts of cyber libel.
The Iloilo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 39 found sufficient basis to rule that Capulot violated Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The court imposed an indeterminate penalty of six months and one day of prison time as a minimum and two years and four months of prison time as a maximum for each count.
Capulot was also ordered to pay P150 thousand for moral damages, P100 thousand for exemplary damages and P50 thousand for attorney’s fees.
Signed by Presiding Judge Victorino Olivares Maniba, Jr., the ruling was handed down on Thursday, May 15, three days after Capulot lost in the race of councilor of Iloilo City.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by contractor Shariko Salcedo over “defamatory remarks” made by Capulot during his radio program in 2020.
“These remarks, which were broadcast not only over the airwaves but also simultaneously livestreamed via RMN Iloilo’s Facebook page and uploaded on YouTube under the accused’s channel, impputed serious criminal offenses and corrupt practices againts a person clearly identifiable as the private complainant,” the ruling stated.
The ruling is not yet final and executory and can still be appealed.IMT
