Broadcaster posts bail in 4 cyber libel cases

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — India Lavapiez, also known as “Mamang India” of Baskog Radyo-Roxas, was released from the custody of the Sigma Municipal Police Station on Wednesday night, March 11, after posting bail of PHP 40,000 for four counts of cyber libel.

Supporters welcomed her temporary release at about 9:35 p.m.

Police Maj. Marvin Balmes, chief of the Sigma police, said Lavapiez’s release was delayed after documents needed to process her bail, including the affidavit of arrest and return of the arrest warrant, were left unattended by the arresting officer from the court.

He said confirmation of her release was not immediately available even as the judge and the cashier of the executive judge’s office were waiting for her.

Lavapiez was taken to Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital after her blood pressure allegedly rose.

The Sigma police served the arrest warrant Wednesday afternoon at the Baskog Radyo station on Roxas Avenue here.

The complaint was filed by Sigma Mayor Dante Eslabon before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila.

The complaint listed Eslabon’s address as Balagtas Street, Malate, Manila.

The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Sheryll Dolendo Tubaling of the Regional Trial Court of the National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 28, and was dated March 11, 2026.

The case stemmed from the Manila prosecutor’s finding of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Lavapiez for alleged violation of Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in connection with her radio broadcast and Facebook Live sessions on March 17, April 1 and 2, and Sept. 3, 2025.

Lavapiez’s co-accused were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Under Republic Act No. 10175, cyber libel covers libel committed through a computer system or similar means, while Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code sets the reglementary periods for delivering detained persons to judicial authorities.