Back

In the matter of allegations contained in the columns of Mr. Amado P. Macasaet published in Malaya dated Sept. 18-21-2007

IN THE MATTER OF THE ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE COLUMNS OF MR. AMADO P. MACASAET PUBLISHED IN MALAYA DATED SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 20 AND 21, 2007

A.M. No. 07-09-13-SC | 2008-08-08

D E C I S I O N 
 
REYES, R.T., J.: 
 
FREEDOM of the press and judicial independence (kalayaan ng pamamahayag at kalayaang panghukuman) - two constitutional values which unfortunately clash in this case for indirect contempt of court - have to be weighed and balanced against each other. 
 
The Antecedents 
 
The case stemmed from certain articles that appeared in the "Business Circuit" column of Amado P. Macasaet in the Malaya, a newspaper of general circulation of which he is the publisher. The articles, containing statements and innuendoes about an alleged bribery incident in the Supreme Court,...