Cong. Edgar Chatto Willy Ramasola
By DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
Cong. Edgar Chatto has filed a petition with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review the 18 counts of cyber libel cases filed against Emmanuel “Willy” Ramasola.
The petition appealed for the reversal of the ruling on not finding probable cause for these particular cases.
It was pointed out that although Chatto was not specifically named in several Facebook posts, he was identified as the subject of such posts.
The petition, cited in particular, posts that mentioned “EC”, “Edgar”, “Congressman Penguin”, “Governador”, “Cong. Edith Sato”, “kimpang”, among others.
It stated that there was no other Congressman in Bohol who has initials as EC except Chatto.
On the other hand, Congressman Penguin and Kimpang clearly referred to Chatto and his physical disability and difficulty in walking.
Moreover, Chatto’s own family was dragged in reference to corrupt family dynasty with his wife Pureza and daughter Trisha holding office as mayor and vice mayor of Balilihan, respectively.
Although Chatto’s name was not mentioned, these terms can be identifiable to him especially by Boholano readers.
In addition, the appeal stressed on the elements of malice and libel. It reiterated that Ramasola’s posts were not fair commentaries but rather direct attacks on Chatto. These were designed to discredit, insinuate, and stir public animosity towards Chatto.
“Freedom of expression is not an absolute, nor is it an unbridled license that gives immunity for every possible use of language and prevents the punishment of those who abuse this freedom,” the appeal read.
The petition said that while Chatto is a public figure, Ramasola does not have unbridled license to malign the former’s honor and dignity by indiscriminately posting fabricated and malicious comments.
It further emphasized that there should be findings of probable cause as all elements of libel are present the Facebook posts of Ramasola.
In particular, it was clear that Ramasola’s posts were defamatory for insinuating that Chatto was a corrupt public official despite years of dedicated public service in Bohol.
Chatto had filed 21 cases of cyber libel against Ramasola to rally against unfair, baseless, false, and malicious statements posted on social media, of which Ramasola currently faces 3 cases of cyber libel.