Emmanuel “Willy” Ramasola, a notorious fake news spreader in Bohol, is now facing an indirect contempt charge along with his string of cyber libel cases.
A petition was filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court by Bohol Cong. Edgar M. Chatto against Ramasola, president of Rotary Club Downtown San Juan, for indirect contempt following the former’s statements on “irregularities” in the issuance of warrants of arrest for the 3 counts of cyber libel cases.
Ramasola had pointed out in a news article, published in The Bohol Chronicle on January 14, 2024, that there was an unseen hand behind the fast tracking of the issuance of the arrest warrants.
Ramasola also repeatedly posted similar remarks on his social media account.
The petition cited that aside from implying that the arrest warrants were issued through illicit means, Ramasola also degraded the judicial process, a ground for indirect contempt.
Section 3(d), Rule 71 of the A.M. No. 19-10-20-SC otherwise known as the 2019 mendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure defines indirect contempt as any improper conduct tending, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice.
The verified petition further emphasized the recognition and respect for the right to be critical of judicial bodies as long as these are made in proper and respectful terms and through legitimate channels.
It highlighted that the Supreme Court has maintained that freedom of speech is not absolute.
It must occasionally be balanced with the requirements of equally important public interests, such as the maintenance of the integrity of the courts and orderly functioning of the administration of justice, the petition read.
[…] and Rotary Club of Downtown San Juan President Emmanuel “Willy” Ramasola, a shameless social media attack dog of ex-Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Toloy” Evasco and […]