TACLOBAN CITY – A returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was convicted of cyber libel filed by actor and Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez in May 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown.

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Regional Trial Court Judge Maria Corazon Vergara-Naraja sentenced Julius Bactol Tahanlangit to serve an indeterminate prison term of six months and one day of prision correcional as minimum to five years, five months and 11 days as maximum for bashing then Ormoc City Mayor Gomez for his alleged sluggish response and lack of a genuine heart to help on May 26, 2020.

Tahanlangit was also ordered to pay Gomez P300,000 in moral damages.

The accused reportedly bashed Gomez after the city government was unable to fetch them as soon as they arrived at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here on May 25.

Tahanlangit claimed Ormoc was the only local government unit that did not send vehicles to fetch returning OFWs.

He first posted on May 26, claiming “he wanted to get the attention of LGU-Ormoc.”

Tahanlangit continued to criticize Gomez for “thinking like it was a scene of Palibhasa Lalake” and that the director can just cut the scene out if he messes up.

Gomez starred in Palibhasa Lalake (Since he is a man), a Philippine sitcom on the now defunct ABS-CBN from March 3, 1987 to Nov. 9, 1998 directed by Johnny Manahan.

Tahanlangit made imputation on Gomez’s capability as a mayor in various posts, including in his responses to friends and commenters.

In her decision, Naraja said that Tahanlangit’s first two posts “were made in the valid exercise” of his constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression.

However, the following posts and comments, the judge noted, were sarcastic and imputed on Gomez’s worth, competence, and mettle as mayor.

The judge said: “The Court finds that the accused was motivated by actual malice in posting the defamatory statements on Facebook because said statements were no longer relevant to his supposed purpose of seeking the help of LGU-Ormoc City.

“There was also no evidence showing that he exerted effort to contact said LGU to ascertain the cause of the delay.

“The derisive remarks came at a time when respect for and obedience to authority was most needed to generate compliance with health protocols imposed by the national and local governments” and caused Gomez “humiliation and subjected him to ridicule by mocking his previous work as an actor and by portraying him as someone incapable of performing his job as local chief executive,” Naraja said.

Naraja also noted that Tahanlangit “did not have to wait long in Tacloban. He stayed there for less than 24 hours which he mostly spent in a hotel.” His stay and meals were shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.