The Supreme Court acquitted Leo A. Lastimosa of libel, emphasizing that in libel cases, every element of the crime must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. The Court found that the element of identifiability—that the person allegedly defamed must be identifiable in the subject writing—was not sufficiently established. This ruling underscores the importance of protecting freedom of expression while ensuring that libel laws are applied judiciously.

“Doling Kawatan”: When Allegory Doesn’t Equal Identification in Libel Cases

This case revolves around an article titled “Si Doling Kawatan” written by Leo A. Lastimosa, a tri-media practitioner, in his opinion column for The Freeman, a Cebu-based newspaper. The article, written in the third person, described a character named “Doling” as a fish-monger who suddenly became wealthy and abrasive, leading to suspicions of theft. Gwendolyn F. Garcia, then Governor of Cebu, claimed that “Doling” referred to her and filed a libel case against Lastimosa. The central legal question is whether the article sufficiently identified Garcia as the subject of the alleged defamatory statements, despite not explicitly naming her.

The prosecution argued that Lastimosa, a known critic of Garcia, maliciously wrote the article to tarnish her reputation. They presented witnesses who testified that they recognized Garcia as the character “Doling.” The defense maintained that the article was a work of fiction and that “Doling” did not refer to Garcia, as the character’s personal circumstances differed from Garcia’s. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted Lastimosa of libel, finding that all the elements of the crime had been established. The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the conviction, albeit with a reduced amount of damages.

However, the Supreme Court reversed the CA’s decision, acquitting Lastimosa. The Court acknowledged that the article was indeed defamatory, describing “Doling” as “abrasive,” “cruel,” “arrogant,” and “a thief.” The element of malice was also presumed due to the defamatory nature of the imputation. While criticisms against public officials are generally privileged, the Court noted that the article focused on the private life of “Doling,” not her actions as a public official. This meant that malice could be presumed from the defamatory nature of the article.

The element of publicity was also clearly present, as Lastimosa admitted to writing and publishing the article. However, the Court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Garcia was identifiable as the subject of the article. The Court emphasized that while it is not necessary to name the victim in a libel case, it must be established that a third person could identify the victim through intrinsic reference, description, or extrinsic evidence. In this case, the CA relied heavily on the testimony of Glenn Baricuatro, who claimed to recognize Garcia as “Doling.”

However, the Supreme Court found that Baricuatro’s testimony was insufficient. Baricuatro’s identification was primarily based on the auditory similarity between “Doling” and “Gwendolyn.” He admitted to not knowing the other circumstances or descriptions used to describe “Doling,” such as her sudden acquisition of properties and vehicles, becoming a Barangay Captain, and starting as a fishmonger. The Court stated that the similarity in how “Doling” and “Gwendolyn” sound cannot, standing alone, be the basis for establishing the link between the character “Doling” and Garcia.

The Court also dismissed the testimony of Atty. Pacheco Seares, who claimed that nine of his fifteen students recognized “Doling” to be Garcia. The Court noted that none of the students were presented as witnesses, and the defense did not have the opportunity to cross-examine them. Furthermore, Atty. Seares admitted that some attributes of “Doling” did not fit Garcia and that the descriptions could apply to many people. This testimony was deemed detrimental to the prosecution’s case.

The Supreme Court cited the case of Kunkle v. Cablenews-American, which held that liability for libel will not attach unless at least one third person would have understood the description as relating to the plaintiff. The Court also referenced Diaz v. People, where the accused was acquitted of libel because the libelous article did not provide a sufficient description or other indications to identify the victim. Similarly, in this case, the Court found that there was no third person who established beyond reasonable doubt that “Doling” and Garcia were the same person.

The absence of a clear link between “Doling” and Garcia led the Supreme Court to conclude that there was reasonable doubt as to the element of identifiability, a necessary element for a libel suit to succeed. Therefore, the Court acquitted Lastimosa. This case highlights the importance of proving all elements of libel beyond reasonable doubt, particularly when dealing with public figures and freedom of expression. The ruling underscores the need for a clear and convincing link between the defamatory statement and the person allegedly defamed.

FAQs

What was the key issue in this case?	The key issue was whether the element of identifiability was proven beyond reasonable doubt in the libel case against Leo A. Lastimosa, specifically whether the character “Doling” in his article was identifiable as Gwendolyn F. Garcia.
What is the definition of libel in the Philippines?	Libel is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.
What are the elements of libel?	The elements of libel are: (a) it must be defamatory; (b) it must be malicious; (c) it must be given publicity; and (d) the victim must be identifiable.
Why was Lastimosa acquitted of libel?	Lastimosa was acquitted because the Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Gwendolyn F. Garcia was identifiable as the subject of the defamatory article. The evidence presented was deemed insufficient to establish a clear link between the character “Doling” and Garcia.
What role did witness testimony play in the case?	The testimony of prosecution witnesses was crucial, but the Supreme Court found their testimonies insufficient to establish the element of identifiability. One witness’s identification was based primarily on the auditory similarity between “Doling” and “Gwendolyn,” while the other’s testimony was considered hearsay and detrimental to the prosecution.
What is the significance of the ‘identifiability’ element in libel cases?	The ‘identifiability’ element ensures that the defamatory statement can be linked to a specific person, protecting individuals from generalized or vague accusations that cannot be reasonably attributed to them. It is essential to prove that at least one third person could understand the description as relating to the plaintiff.
What is the ‘presumption of malice’ in libel cases?	The law presumes malice when the imputation is defamatory. However, this presumption can be rebutted if the statement falls under privileged communication, such as fair comments on matters of public interest, provided they do not extend to the private life of the public figure.
How does this case affect freedom of expression?	This case underscores the importance of protecting freedom of expression by requiring a high standard of proof for each element of libel. It ensures that individuals can express themselves without fear of being unjustly penalized for defamation when the identity of the defamed party is not clearly established.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Lastimosa v. People serves as a crucial reminder of the delicate balance between protecting an individual’s reputation and upholding the constitutional right to freedom of expression. By requiring a clear and convincing link between the defamatory statement and the person allegedly defamed, the Court reaffirms the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence in libel cases.

For inquiries regarding the application of this ruling to specific circumstances, please contact ASG Law through contact or via email at frontdesk@asglawpartners.com.

Disclaimer: This analysis is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.
Source: Lastimosa v. People, G.R. No. 233577, December 05, 2022