Former city councilor wins libel case vs Osabal, Calleja

By Bernard D. Rañola

THE Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court’s ruling that found Jufre “Joe” Osabal and Joaquin “Bebot” Calleja guilty of libel, affirming the conviction originally handed down by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Pili, Camarines Sur.

In a decision promulgated on June 23, 2025, the appellate court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the two respondents and affirmed in toto the RTC’s ruling that held them criminally liable for libel under Articles 353, 354, and 355 of the Revised Penal Code.

The court stated in its ruling that “the appeals are bereft of merit,” and imposed upon both Osabal and Calleja an indeterminate prison term of six months of arresto mayor in its maximum period as minimum, to two years, 11 months, and 10 days of prision correccional in its medium period as maximum.

Additionally, Osabal and Calleja were ordered to pay, jointly and severally, ₱1 million in moral damages and another ₱1 million in exemplary damages.

The case was filed by former Naga City Councilor Jose “Sonny” C. Rañola, who was represented by legal counsel Atty. Ruben General. It stemmed from a live radio interview aired on June 8, 2009, in which the complainant was accused of financial wrongdoing during his tenure as an executive of a private hospital.

The RTC ruling was originally issued in 2021 by Judge Maria Carmela Ng Pee Mendiola of Branch 33, RTC Pili.