PTFOMS Hails Acquittal of Journalist in Libel Case

The Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 53 acquitted veteran reporter Erwin “Ambo” Delilan of libel charges stemming from his 2005 reporting, nearly 20 years after the case began.

The court found that prosecutors failed to prove libel beyond a reasonable doubt, noting Delilan simply cited official complaints without injecting malicious commentary.

Undersecretary Jose Torres Jr., executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), praised the ruling as upholding the constitutional freedom of the press.

“This ruling underscores a fundamental tenet of press freedom: journalists should not be penalized for reporting matters of public interest in good faith and without actual malice,” Torres said.

Torres described Delilan’s acquittal as “a personal victory and a reaffirmation of the vital role the press plays in a democratic society,” and reiterated PTFOMS’s commitment to protecting journalists.

He added that PTFOMS will push for reforms to curb misuse of libel laws and support media practitioners as they pursue ethical journalism.

Earlier this week, PTFOMS also applauded the Philippine Press Institute’s launch of Media‑Citizen Councils as forums for media‑public dialogue and dispute resolution.

According to the PPI, these councils are community‑based, multisectoral bodies that handle complaints about media accuracy through mediation rather than court suits.

The councils draw on frameworks under the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists, aiming to foster accountability, self‑regulation, and constructive engagement among local media, government, and civil society.

Media‑Citizen Councils have already been established in six regions—Batangas, Iloilo, Davao, Central Luzon, Aklan, and Leyte‑Samar—with more planned for Bacolod and other areas.

Press rights advocates say the acquittal of Delilan, combined with the rollout of media‑citizen councils, signals a shift toward protecting journalists from lawfare and promoting ethical, accountable journalism.

Delilan’s libel case originated from a 2005 report that summarized an official complaint without offering its own commentary. The presiding judge issued a 27‑page ruling on June 20, emphasizing that the prosecution did not meet the required burden of proof.

The Philippine Press Institute, founded in 1964 and reactivated in 1987, spearheads the media‑citizen council initiative to prevent legal harassment and build community trust.

Region‑wide councils offer an alternative dispute resolution system backed by diverse sectoral partners—including law, academe, business, NGOs, media, and government—to mediate complaints and uphold journalistic accountability.

Experts say Delilan’s vindication reinforces the legal standard in press‑freedom cases: public interest reporting without malice is constitutionally protected.

The expansion of Media‑Citizen Councils also highlights a proactive approach to reduce libel litigation, a form of lawfare that media groups have long criticized as a tool for stifling journalism.

PTFOMS has indicated that it will work with key stakeholders—including media and government—to institutionalize mechanisms that shield journalists from harassment and support safer, more ethical reporting.