Manila publisher in libel charges

Manila publisher in libel charges

PHILIPPINES: Police arrested the chief editor and publisher of a hard-hitting Manila daily on early Monday on two charges of criminal libel, filed by the personal lawyer of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Armed with an arrest warrant, police detained Ninez Cacho Olivarez after her newspaper, the Daily Tribune, published a series of articles concerning lawyer Arthur "Pancho" Villaraza and his involvement in a controversial air terminal project.

In the Philippines, criminal libel is punishable by a maximum of four years in prison.

In his complaint, Villaraza said the articles - which included a transcript of a taped conversation between project officials and their lawyers - were based on "private conversations" that had been recorded illegally, and said they were "not only hearsay statements, but also inadmissible as evidence."

Olivarez told reporters she would post the 20,000 pesos (US$365) bail to get out and fight her case. --AP