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Erwin Tulfo vs. People

G.R. No. 161032 ERWIN TULFO, PETITIONER, VS. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND ATTY. CARLOS T. SO, RESPONDENTS. G.R. NO. 161176 SUSAN CAMBRI, REY SALAO, JOCELYN BARLIZO, AND PHILIP PICHAY, PETITIONERS, VS. COURT OF APPEALS, PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND CARLOS SO, RESPONDENTS.

G.R. No. 161032 and G.R. No. 161176 | 2008-09-16

SECOND DIVISION
 
D E C I S I O N
 
VELASCO JR., J.:
 
The freedom of the press is one of the cherished hallmarks of our democracy; but even as we strive to protect and respect the fourth estate, the freedom it enjoys must be balanced with responsibility. There is a fine line between freedom of expression and libel, and it falls on the courts to determine whether or not that line has been crossed.
 
The Facts

On the complaint of Atty. Carlos "Ding" So of the Bureau of Customs, four (4) separate informations were filed on September 8, 1999 with the Regional Trial Court in (RTC) Pasay City. These were assigned to Branch...