SC: Criticism of public official’s performance not oral defamation
The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIรO JESUS ORBETA
Statements uttered against public officers cannot be considered slanderous when these are related to the performance of their official duties—and unless they are done maliciously.
Thus ruled the Supreme Court as it acquitted Argelyn Labargan of grave oral defamation against Aileen Macabangon, a barangay councilor of Muntay, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.
The high tribunal’s Second Division granted Labargan’s petition for review on certiorari, overturning the 2018 Court of Appeals (CA) decision that had upheld her conviction and sentenced her to six months of imprisonment.
๐ธ/✍️ via Inquirerdotnet
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