Anti-graft office dismisses cyber libel complaint vs. Alcover

THE Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the complaint for cyber libel against Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr.A seven-page decision approved and signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires dated February 11, 2022, said the accusations of cyber libel filed by then Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña against Alcover had no legal basis.In January 2019, then mayor Osmeña sued Alcover for allegedly maligning his reputation after Alcover posted on Facebook a statement he attributed to Osmeña regarding a bullying incident involving a student from Ateneo de Manila Junior High School.Aside from cyberlibel charges, Osmeña also filed a separate complaint for grave misconduct and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.The anti-graft office dismissed the case against Alcover as he never made any “defamatory imputation of a crime” allegedly committed by Osmeña.“Complainant’s contention that respondent (Alcover) made it appear that the former condoned the act of bullying is just a mere conjecture. Complainant failed to persuade this Office that the post made by respondent is libelous,” the Ombudsman added.VindicatedIn a statement sent to SunStar Cebu on Saturday, July 9, Alcover said he welcomed the decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss the complaint against him.“This would show that I never committed a crime as alleged by a former mayor,” Alcover added.Alcover, who has returned to the City Council after his victorious run in the May 9, 2022 elections, said he had no hard feelings against Osmeña.“Human na dismiss ang akong kaso, wa ko masuko o magdumot ni Tommy. Mas nilig-on ang akong tumong sa panerbisyo kay daghan pa kaayo ta og trabahuon sa konseho nga ikatabang sa atong mayor,” Alcover added.[After my case was dismissed, I never bore a grudge against Tommy (Osmeña). In fact, this further strengthened my resolve to serve the public, especially since we still have a lot of things to do to help our mayor (Michael Rama).]