CEBU CITY — An international boxing judge has filed cyber libel charges against a vlogger and three other persons for allegedly defaming him on social media. Edward Ligas, who is also a radio commentator, filed three counts of cyber libel and identity theft against Pow Salud, three counts of cyber libel and identity theft against Anthony Joaquin Arieta, one count of cyber libel and identity theft against Goldy Meal Cabual Espinas, and one count of cyber libel against Kit Batolino.
Ligas is seeking P10 million from each of the respondents as actual or compensatory damages. According to Ligas, Arieta, Batolino and Espinas defamed him through posts and comments on Powcast Sports Community Facebook Group, which is supposedly owned and run by Salud. Ligas alleged that he was one of the judges from Manila, Cebu, and Mindanao that Arieta accused of corruption through unfair scoring. One of the fights that Arieta brought up where the judges allegedly erred in scoring was the Jesse Espinas-Johnpaul Gabunillas on December 20, 2022 in San Fernando, southern Cebu. Gabunillas won the fight. Ligas and another judge scored in favor of the winner, while the third judge scored it a draw. Ligas said that a few hours after the fight, Arieta posted on the Facebook group alluding that Ligas and the other judge were involved in “disputable decisions.” Ligas said in Arieta’s post, Goldy Meal, the wife of Jesse, posted a photo of him yawning. “Sir, I don’t think he is enjoying the fight. Maybe he knows na lahat ng boxers sa ARQ is mananalo kaya he felt boring and sleeping dito (Maybe he knows that all boxers from ARQ are going to win that’s why he felt bored and sleepy here),” read Espinas’ comment. In another post, Batolino alleged that Jesse actually won the fight but lost in the judges’ scorecards. Although Batolino did not mention the names of the three judges, Ligas said he felt being alluded to as he was one of the judges of the fight. Ligas said it was not the first time that Arieta criticized his scoring. “Arieta accused Cebu judges of ‘robberies’ and even asked boxers to organize themselves to end the alleged robbery. Even if he did not mention names, I felt alluded to because I am the president of an organization of ring officials and boxing judges in Cebu,” Ligas said. Ligas said Salud admitted that he allowed Arieta to become an administrator of the Facebook group where he became a “favorite” topic in several posts. “Respondent Salud, being the owner and admin of Powcast Sports Community, should have not allowed and tolerated the posts from the respondents. He should have exercised prudence, restraint, and utmost diligence,” Ligas said. (Calvin D. Cordova)