Court dismisses libel case against Ted Failon filed by Senator Francis Tolentino

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It’s been more than three years since senator Francis Tolentino (then the Metro Manila Development Authority chairman) filed a libel case against journalist Ted Failon over a 2016 episode of Ted’s show Failon Ngayon which featured a commentary on the MMDA's purchase of second-hand motorcycles for the papal visit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) conference in 2015.In a report on ABS-CBN news online last July 16, the Court of Appeals ruled that that the information filed against Failon and the others was incomplete and that the allegations were insufficient to continue prosecution. "The decision speaks of free press rights. Ito ay tagumpay para sa lahat ng mamamahayag. Salamat sa mga kapamilya sa ABS-CBN na katulong natin sa pagtatanggol sa kasong ito. This is a bright spot during these dark days," Failon told ABS-CBN News after receiving the ruling.Veteran radio and television broadcast journalist Ted Failon’s career in the Kapamilya network has spanned decades, starting with the news program Hoy Gising! which ran from 1992 to 2001. On radio, his programs include Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Siyete with fellow journalist Noli De Castro and his own program Failon Ngayon sa Teleradyo. Aside from doing TV Patrol daily, he also hosts his decade-long investigative program Failon Ngayon which has been suspended since the network’s compliance to the cease and desist order last May 5.Ted’s foray into politics lasted from 2001 to 2004 where he served as the representative of the first district of Leyte. <blockquote class='twitter-tweet'>[THREAD] How Court of Appeals junked ex-MMDA Chair, now Sen. Francis Tolentino's libel case vs. ABS-CBN anchor Ted Failon In July 7 Decision, CA 12th Division reversed orders of RTC Tagaytay City Br. 18 to proceed with trial despite motion from DOJ to withdraw charge. <a href='https://t.co/Wyn30q2LNX'>pic.twitter.com/Wyn30q2LNX</a>— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) <a href='https://twitter.com/mikenavallo/status/1283670523159797760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>July 16, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script> <blockquote class='twitter-tweet'>Tolentino filed 2 libel complaints vs Failon, his staff in Dec 2016, April 2017 over Failon Ngayon episodes alleging possible fund misuse in MMDA's purchase of 2nd-hand motorcycles. Tagaytay Prosecutors' Office found probable cause to file 1 libel case with RTC Tagaytay. <a href='https://t.co/J21IKGvZe6'>pic.twitter.com/J21IKGvZe6</a>— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) <a href='https://twitter.com/mikenavallo/status/1283670525617696768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>July 16, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script>

Ted’s foray into politics lasted from 2001 to 2004 where he served as the representative of the first district of Leyte. <blockquote class='twitter-tweet'>[THREAD] How Court of Appeals junked ex-MMDA Chair, now Sen. Francis Tolentino's libel case vs. ABS-CBN anchor Ted Failon In July 7 Decision, CA 12th Division reversed orders of RTC Tagaytay City Br. 18 to proceed with trial despite motion from DOJ to withdraw charge. <a href='https://t.co/Wyn30q2LNX'>pic.twitter.com/Wyn30q2LNX</a>— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) <a href='https://twitter.com/mikenavallo/status/1283670523159797760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>July 16, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script> <blockquote class='twitter-tweet'>Tolentino filed 2 libel complaints vs Failon, his staff in Dec 2016, April 2017 over Failon Ngayon episodes alleging possible fund misuse in MMDA's purchase of 2nd-hand motorcycles. Tagaytay Prosecutors' Office found probable cause to file 1 libel case with RTC Tagaytay. <a href='https://t.co/J21IKGvZe6'>pic.twitter.com/J21IKGvZe6</a>— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) <a href='https://twitter.com/mikenavallo/status/1283670525617696768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw'>July 16, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src='https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' type='text/javascript'></script>

It’s been more than three years since senator Francis Tolentino (then the Metro Manila Development Authority chairman) filed a libel case against journalist Ted Failon over a 2016 episode of Ted’s show Failon Ngayon which featured a commentary on the MMDA's purchase of second-hand motorcycles for the papal visit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) conference in 2015.In a report on ABS-CBN news online last July 16, the Court of Appeals ruled that that the information filed against Failon and the others was incomplete and that the allegations were insufficient to continue prosecution. "The decision speaks of free press rights. Ito ay tagumpay para sa lahat ng mamamahayag. Salamat sa mga kapamilya sa ABS-CBN na katulong natin sa pagtatanggol sa kasong ito. This is a bright spot during these dark days," Failon told ABS-CBN News after receiving the ruling.Veteran radio and television broadcast journalist Ted Failon’s career in the Kapamilya network has spanned decades, starting with the news program Hoy Gising! which ran from 1992 to 2001. On radio, his programs include Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Siyete with fellow journalist Noli De Castro and his own program Failon Ngayon sa Teleradyo. Aside from doing TV Patrol daily, he also hosts his decade-long investigative program Failon Ngayon which has been suspended since the network’s compliance to the cease and desist order last May 5.

The Court of Appeals has dismissed Senator Francis Tolentino’s libel case against ABS-CBN anchor Ted Failon.

Court dismisses libel case against Ted Failon filed by Senator Francis Tolentino | PUSH.COM.PH