doctrine of fair comment

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SYLLABI/SYNOPSIS

SECOND DIVISION

[G.R. No. 126466. January 14, 1999]

ARTURO BORJAL a.k.a. ART BORJAL and MAXIMO

OLI!"N, petitioners, vs. #OURT O$ A%%"AL and $RAN#I#O

&"N#"LAO,respondents.

' " # I I O N

"The question is not so much as who was aimed at as who was hit." (Pound, J.,

in Corrigan v. Bobbs-Merill Co., 228 N.. !8 [1920]).

B"LLOILLO, J .(

PERPETUALL !A"RIDDEN #$ %&' u*i+ i$ #ou% *o$in on' o- %&' o$% #$i+ /'% o-%&o%*/ +on%'$%'d -''do$ o- #n, %&' i$$u' o- %&' i&% o- -'' ''$$ion '$%i$ #nd '$'n%$

i%$'*- %i' #nd ##in, in +/+*i+ o++u'n+', %o in'i*', n#/, +&#**'n' %&' +ou%$ %o '3$u'/ i%$

'' $&i-%in %'#in, '*o' #nd -uo4 i%$ &''%o-o' un+&#%'d oo$ #nd #**'/$ #nd -in#**/'d'-in' %&' '%'$ #nd ound$ o- i%$ +on%o'$i#* do#in. T&i$, oin'n%*/, i$ on' $u+& +#$'.

P'&#$, n'' in 5ui$ud'n%i#* &i$%o/ &#$ #n/ -''do o- #n und'on' #di+#* do+%in#*

'%#o&o$'$ %&#n &i$ i&% %o -''*/ #nd o'n*/ ''$$ &i$ i'4$. 6*#+7$%on'8$ on%i-i+#*+o'n% %&#% 4&'' *#$&'ou$, io#*, %'#$on#*', $+&i$#%i+#*, $'di%iou$, o $+#nd#*ou$*i'*$ #' uni$&'d / En*i$& *#4 . . . %&' *i'%/ o- %&' '$$, o'*/ und'$%ood, i$ / no

'#n$ in-in'd o io*#%'d, -ound 7ind'd ''$$ion in %&' *#nd#7 oinion o- En*#nd8$

S%# C&#' in %&' ibelis #amosis +#$' in 1:0;.[1] T&#% +#$' '$%#*i$&'d %4o #5o oo$i%ion$ in %&' o$'+u%ion o- d'-##%o/ '#7$< -i$%, %&#% *i'* ##in$% # u*i+ '$on i$

# '#%' o--'n$' %&#n on' di'+%'d ##in$% #n odin#/ #n, #nd $'+ond, %&#% i% i$ i#%'i#* %&#%

%&' *i'* ' %u'.

Un%i* 'u*i+#ni$ +#u&% -i' in '#*/ A'i+#, %&' i'4 -o %&' %o on *i'* 4#$ no *'$$

di$#*. E'n %&' 'n'#*' Ju$%i+' !o*'$ #'#'d %o 4#--*' #$ &' $4#/'d -o %&' +on+'% o-

+iin#* *i'* *i#i*i%/ und' %&' +*'# #nd '$'n% d#n' u*', %o %&' o%&' 'nd o- %&' $'+%u in

d'-'n$' o- %&' +on$%i%u%ion#**/ o%'+%'d $%#%u$ o- unou*# oinion in -'' $o+i'%/.

Vi'4'd in od'n %i'$ #nd %&' +u'n% 'o*u%ion in in-o#%ion #nd +ouni+#%ion

%'+&no*o/, *i'* in+i*'$ -ou*#%'d #% on' %i' o #no%&' &#' 4#'d #nd 4#n'd %&ou& %&'

/'#$ in %&' +on$%#n% ' #nd -*o4 o- 5udi+i#* 'i'4. A% %&' '/ *'#$%, %&'$' in+i*'$ &#' *o$%u+& o- %&'i -*#o, do4n'd #nd $4#'d #$ %&'/ &#' ''n / %&' +'#$'*'$$ +#+o&on/ #nd

din o- %&ou&% #nd di$+ou$' '#n#%in -o 5u$% #ou% ''/ $ou+' #nd di'+%ion, #id'd no *'$$

/ #n in+'#$in*/ o4'-u* #nd i''$$i*' #$$ 'di#. Pu*i+ di$+ou$', *#'n%$ =ni&%, &#$ ''n d'#*u'd / i%$ u%%' +oon#*i%/> #nd 4' #'', -o i%$ *oi+#* '--'+% i$ %o 'nu %&ou&%

#nd $'n$ii*i%/ on 4&#% #/ ' +on$id''d #$ +iin#* i**'i%i#%' 'n+o#+&'n%$ on %&' i&% o-

'$on$ %o 'n5o/ # ood, &ono#*' #nd 'u%#*' n#'. T&i$ #/ '*#in %&' i'+'%i*'

d'i$' o- +iin#* o$'+u%ion$ -o *i'* #nd %&' %'nd %o '*/ in$%'#d on ind'ni%/ $ui%$ %o '#i #n/ d##' on on'8$ 'u%#%ion.

In %&i$ '%i%ion -o 'i'4, 4' #' #$7'd %o ''$' %&' Cou% o- A'#*$ in #rancisco

$enceslao v. %rturo Bor&al and Ma'imo (oliven, CA3".R. No. ?0?9:, &o*din on 2@ #+&199: %&#% '%i%ion'$ A%uo 6o5#* #nd #io So*i'n #' $o*id#i*/ *i#*' -o d##'$ -o

4i%in #nd u*i$&in +'%#in #%i+*'$ +*#i'd %o ' d'o#%o/ #nd o--'n$i' %o i#%'

'$ond'n% B#n+i$+o 'n+'$*#o.

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http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1999/jan99/126466.htm#_edn1


http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/1999/syllabi99/Jan/126466_syl.htm



' ' ' some /,::: und solicitation letters were sent b+ the organier to ever+ Tom,

6ic and ;arr+ and to almost all government agencies. %nd the letterheads carried

the names o 7e+es and )eriquet. %grarian 7eorm (ecretar+ on leave )hili* uico

received one, but he decided to ind out rom 7e+es himsel what the *ro&ect was all

about. 7a+ 7e+es, in eect, advised uico to *ut the und solicitation letter in the

waste baset. Now, i the /,::: *ersons and agencies a**roached b+ the organier shelled out 0,::: each, that4s easil+ )/ million to a *ro&ect that seems so

unso*histicated. But note that one garment com*an+ gave )0::,:::, ater which the

<arments 7egulator+ Board headed b+ Trade and ndustr+ =ndersecretar+ <loria

Maca*agal-%rro+o was a**roached b+ the organier to e'*edite the garment license

a**lication o the )0::,::: donor.

20 une 0181

% >conerence organier> associated with shad+ deals seems to have a lot o trash

tuced inside his closet. The a+waler continues to receive inormation about theman4s dubious deals. ;is notoriet+, according to reliable sources, has reached the

)remier <uest ;ouse where his name is s*oen lie dung.

' ' '

The irst inormation sa+s that the >organier> tried to mulct hal a million *esos rom

a garment *roducer and e'*orter who was being investigated or violation o the

rules o the <arments, Te'tile, 5mbroider+ and %**arel Board. The >organier> told

the garment e'*orter that the case could be i'ed or a sum o )!::,:::.::. The

organier got the shoc o his lie when the e'*orter told him9 > have that amount, will hire the best law+ers, not +ou.> The organier let in a hu, his thic ace ver+

*ale.

' ' '

#riends in government and the *rivate sector have *romised the a+waler more

>do*e> on the >organier.> t seems that he was not onl+ indiscreet? he even ailed to

cover his tracs. ou will be hearing more o the >organier4s> e'*loits rom this

corner soon.

22 une 0181

The scheming >organier> we have been writing about seems to have been s*reading

his wings too ar. % congressional source has inormed the a+waler that the

schemer once wored or a congressman rom the North as some sort o a consultant

on economic aairs. The irst thing the @organierA did was to initiate hearings and

round-the-table discussions with *eo*le rom the business, e'*ort and -- his avorite --

the garments sector.

' ' '

The >organier4s> *rinci*al gamel+ went along, thining that his >consultant> had

nothing but the good o these sectors in mind. t was onl+ later that he realied that

the >consultant> was acting with a burst o energ+ >in aid o e'tortion.> The

>consultant> was ired.



' ' '

There seems to be no end to what a man could do to *ursue his dubious wa+s. ;e has

tried to o*erate under a guise o a well-meaning reormist. ;e has intellectual

*retensions - and sometimes he succeeds in getting his thoughts in the inside *ages o

some news*a*ers, with the aid o some naive news*a*er *eo*le. ;e has been turning out a lot o unn+-looing advice on investments, e'*ort growth, and the lie.

' ' '

% cabinet secretar+ has one big wish. ;e is ho*ing or a broad *ower to ban croos

and inluence-*eddlers rom entering the *remises o his de*artment. But the Cabinet

man might not get his wish. There is one >organier> who, even i *h+sicall+ banned,

can still concoct wa+s o doing his thing. $ithout a tinge o remorse, the >organier>

could ill u* his letterheads with names o Cabinet members, congressmen, and

re*utable *eo*le rom the *rivate sector to shore u* his shad+ re*utation and coveru* his notoriet+.

/ ul+ 0181

% su**osed conerence on trans*ortation was a big ailure. The attendance was ver+

*oor and the ew who *artici*ated in the aair were mostl+ leaders o &ee*ne+

drivers4 grou*s. None o the government oicials involved in regulating *ublic

trans*ortation was there. The big names in the industr+ also did not

*artici*ate. $ith such a *oor attendance, one wonders wh+ the conerence

organiers went ahead with the aair and tried so hard to convince /,::: com*aniesand individuals to contribute to the aair.

' ' '

The conerence was doomed rom the start. t was bound to ail. The *ersonalities

who count in the ield o trans*ortation reused to attend the aair or withdrew their

su**ort ater inding out the bacground o the organier o the conerence. ;ow

could a conerence on trans*ortation succeed without the *artici*ation o the big

names in the industr+ and government *olic+-maers

Pi#%' '$ond'n% '#+%'d %o %&' #%i+*'$. !' $'n% # *'%%' %o The )hili**ine (tar in$i$%in

%&#% &' 4#$ %&' Go#ni'H #**ud'd %o in '%i%ion' 6o5#*$ +o*un$.[?] In # $u$'u'n% *'%%'

%o The )hili**ine (tar , i#%' '$ond'n% '-u%'d %&' #%%'$ +on%#in'd in '%i%ion' 6o5#*$+o*un$ #nd o'n*/ +&#**'n'd &i in %&i$ #nn' 3

To %'$% i- 6o5#* &#$ %&' u%$ %o #+7 u &i$ &o*i' %&#n %&ou #%%i%ud', I #

'#'d %o '*inui$& %&i$ o$i%ion in +#$' i% i$ -ound %&#% I &#' i$#oi#%'d ''n

on' '$o o- BNCLT on'/. On %&' o%&' &#nd, i- I +#n o' %&#% 6o5#* &#$ u$'d &i$

+o*un #$ # K&#' %o '% +*i'n%$ -o &i$ PR Bi, AA 6o5#* A$$o+i#%'$, &' $&ou*d

'$in -o %&' STAR #nd n'' ##in 4i%' # +o*un. I$ i% # d'#*[@]

T&''#-%', i#%' '$ond'n% -i*'d # +o*#in% 4i%& %&' N#%ion#* P'$$ C*u (NPC) ##in$%

'%i%ion' 6o5#* -o un'%&i+#* +ondu+%. !' #++u$'d '%i%ion' 6o5#* o- u$in &i$ +o*un #$ #

-o o- *''#' %o o%#in +on%#+%$ -o &i$ u*i+ '*#%ion$ -i, AA 6o5#* A$$o+i#%'$. [:] In %un,

'%i%ion' 6o5#* u*i$&'d # '5oind' %o %&' +&#**'n' o- i#%' '$ond'n% no% on*/ %o o%'+%&i$ n#' #nd &ono u% #*$o %o '-u%' %&' +*#i %&#% &' 4#$ u$in &i$ +o*un -o +&##+%'

#$$#$$in#%ion.[M]












A#'n%*/ no% $#%i$-i'd 4i%& &i$ +o*#in% 4i%& %&' NPC, i#%' '$ond'n% -i*'d #

+iin#* +#$' -o *i'* ##in$% '%i%ion'$ 6o5#* #nd So*i'n, #on o%&'$. !o4'', in #

R'$o*u%ion d#%'d M Auu$% 1990, %&' A$$i$%#n% Po$'+u%o &#nd*in %&' +#$' di$i$$'d %&'+o*#in% -o in$u--i+i'n+/ o- 'id'n+'. T&' di$i$$#* 4#$ $u$%#in'd / %&' D'#%'n% o-

Ju$%i+' #nd *#%' / %&' O--i+' o- %&' P'$id'n%.

On ;1 O+%o' 1990 i#%' '$ond'n% in$%i%u%'d ##in$% '%i%ion'$ # +ii* #+%ion -o d##'$ #$'d on *i'* $u5'+% o- %&' in$%#n% +#$'. [] In %&'i #n$4', '%i%ion'$ in%'o$'d

+ou*$o/ +oun%'+*#i$ -o #+%u#*, o#* #nd ''*#/ d##'$, *u$ #%%on'/$ -''$ #nd

+o$%$. A-%' du' +on$id'#%ion, %&' %i#* +ou% d'+id'd in -#o o- i#%' '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o

#nd od''d '%i%ion'$ 6o5#* #nd So*i'n %o ind'ni-/ i#%' '$ond'n% P1,000,000.00 -o #+%u#* #nd +o'n$#%o/ d##'$, in #ddi%ion %o P200,000.00 -o o#* d##'$,P100,000.00

-o ''*#/ d##'$, P200,000.00 -o #%%on'/$ -''$, #nd %o #/ %&' +o$%$ o- $ui%.

T&' Cou% o- A'#*$ #--i'd %&' d'+i$ion o- %&' +ou% a quo u% 'du+'d %&' #oun% o- %&'on'%#/ #4#d %o P110,000.00 #+%u#* d##'$, P200,000.00 o#* d##'$ #ndPM@,000.00

#%%on'/8$ -''$ *u$ +o$%$. In # 203#' D'+i$ion ou*#%'d 2@ #+& 199:, %&' #'**#%' +ou%

u*'d inter alia %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% 4#$ $u--i+i'n%*/ id'n%i-i#*', #*%&ou& no% n#'d, in %&'u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$> %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% 4#$ in -#+% d'-#'d / '%i%ion' 6o5#* /

d'$+iin &i #iou$*/ #$ # $'*-3o+*#i'd &'o, # +on-''n+' o#ni' #$$o+i#%'d 4i%&

$&#d/ d'#*$ 4&o &#$ # *o% o- %#$& %u+7'd in$id' &i$ +*o$'%, %&i+7 -#+', #nd # '$on 4i%&

duiou$ 4#/$> %&#% '%i%ion'$ +*#i o- ii*'' +ouni+#%ion 4#$ un##i*in $in+' %&' ii*''d +&##+%' o- %&' #%i+*'$ 4#$ *o$% / %&'i u*i+#%ion in # n'4$#' o- 'n'#*

+i+u*#%ion> %&#% '%i%ion' +ou*d &#' '-o'd &i$ o--i+' #$ # n'4$#'#n 4i%&ou%

n'+'$$#i*/ %#n$'$$in %&' i&%$ o- 'n+'$*#o / +#**in %&' #%%'n%ion o- %&' o'n'n%o--i+'$ +on+'n'd %o '#in' %&' #u%&oi%/ / 4&i+& 'n+'$*#o #+%'d, 4#nin %&' u*i+ ##in$%

+on%iu%in %o # +on-''n+' %&#%, #++odin %o &i$ '+'%ion, *#+7'd %&' unio+#* indo$''n% o-

%&' '$on$i*' o'n'n% o--i+i#*$, o $i*/ in-oin %&' u*i+ o- %&' *'%%'$ 'n+'$*#o

4o%' #nd %&' -#o$ &' 'u'$%'d o d'#nd'd> #nd, %&#% 4&'n &' iu%'d di$&on'$%/, -#*$'&ood#nd i$''$'n%#%ion, $&#'*'$$n'$$ #nd in%'**'+%u#* '%'n%ion$ %o 'n+'$*#o, '%i%ion' 6o5#*

+o$$'d %&' %&in u% +*'# *in' %&#% $'##%'d -#i +o'n% -o #+%ion#*' d'-##%ion.

Pi#%' '$ond'n% #ni-'$%'d &i$ d'$i' %o #'#* %&#% o%ion o- %&' #'**#%' +ou%$d'+i$ion 4&i+& 'du+'d %&' #oun% o- d##'$ #4#d'd &i / -i*in 4i%& %&i$ Cou% # )etition

or 5'tension o Time to #ile )etition #nd # o%ion -o (us*ension o- Ti' %o Bi*' P'%i%ion.[9] !o4'', in # R'$o*u%ion d#%'d 2M #/ 199:, %&' S'+ond Dii$ion d'ni'd o%& o%ion$< %&'-i$%, -o 'in '#%u', #nd %&' $'+ond, -o 'in # 4on ''d/.

On 20 No'' 199: 4&'n %&' Bi$% Dii$ion +on$o*id#%'d #nd %#n$-''d %&' '$'n% +#$'

%o %&' S'+ond Dii$ion, %&'' 4#$ no *on' #n/ +#$' %&''#% 4i%& 4&i+& %o +on$o*id#%' %&i$ +#$'

$in+' ".R. No. 12?;9: &#d #*'#d/ ''n di$o$'d o- / %&' S'+ond Dii$ion #*o$% $i (:)on%&$ '#*i'.

On %&'i #%, '%i%ion'$ -i*'d # o%ion -o '+on$id'#%ion u% %&' Cou% o- A'#*$ d'ni'd

%&' o%ion in i%$ R'$o*u%ion o- 12 S'%'' 199:. !'n+' %&' in$%#n% '%i%ion -o 'i'4. T&' '%i%ion'$ +on%'nd %&#% %&' Cou% o- A'#*$ ''d< (#) in u*in %&#% i#%' '$ond'n%

'n+'$*#o 4#$ $u--i+i'n%*/ id'n%i-i'd / '%i%ion' 6o5#* in %&' u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$> () in

'-u$in %o #++od $'iou$ +on$id'#%ion %o %&' -indin$ o- %&' D'#%'n% o- Ju$%i+' #nd %&'O--i+' o- %&' P'$id'n% %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o 4#$ no% $u--i+i'n%*/ id'n%i-i'd in %&'

u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$, %&i$ no%4i%&$%#ndin %&#% %&' d''' o- oo- 'ui'd in # '*iin#/

in'$%i#%ion i$ ''*/ *rima acie 'id'n+' 4&i+& i$ $ini-i+#n%*/ *'$$ %&#n %&' 'ond'#n+'o- 'id'n+' 'ui'd in +ii* +#$'$> (+) in u*in %&#% %&' $u5'+% #%i+*'$ do no% +on$%i%u%'

u#*i-i'd*/ ii*''d +ouni+#%ion> (d) in '-u$in %o #*/ %&' u*i+ o--i+i#* do+%in' *#iddo4n in New or Times v. (ullivan> (') in u*in %&#% %&' u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$ *o$% %&'i ii*''d

+&##+%' '+#u$' o- %&'i u*i+#%ion in # n'4$#' o- 'n'#* +i+u*#%ion> (-) in u*in %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% &#$ # #*id +#u$' o- #+%ion -o *i'* ##in$% '%i%ion'$ #*%&ou& &' -#i*'d %o

o' #+%u#* #*i+' on %&'i #%, #nd %&#% %&' o$'+u%o$ o- %&' Ci%/ o- #ni*#, %&' D'#%'n%

o- Ju$%i+', #nd ''n%u#**/, %&' O--i+' o- %&' P'$id'n%, &#d #*'#d/ '$o*'d %&#% %&'' 4#$ no$u--i+i'n% 'id'n+' %o o' %&' 'i$%'n+' o- *i'*> #nd, () #$$uin arguendo %&#% 6o5#* $&ou*d







' &'*d *i#*', in #d5udin '%i%ion' So*i'n $o*id#i*/ *i#*' 4i%& &i. T&u$, '%i%ion'$ #/

-o %&' ''$#* o- %&' #'**#%' +ou%$ u*in, %&' di$i$$#* o- %&' +o*#in% ##in$% %&' -o

*#+7 o- 'i%, #nd %&' #4#d o- d##'$ on %&'i +oun%'+*#i.

T&' '%i%ion i$ i'$$'d 4i%& 'i%. In od' %o #in%#in # *i'* $ui%, i% i$ '$$'n%i#* %&#% %&'

i+%i ' id'n%i-i#*' #*%&ou& i% i$ no% n'+'$$#/ %&#% &' ' n#'d. I% i$ #*$o no% $u--i+i'n% %&#%

%&' o--'nd'd #%/ '+oni'd &i$'*- #$ %&' '$on #%%#+7'd o d'-#'d, u% i% u$% ' $&o4n%&#% #% *'#$% # %&id '$on +ou*d id'n%i-/ &i #$ %&' o5'+% o- %&' *i'*ou$ u*i+#%ion.[10]R''%%#*/, %&'$' 'ui$i%'$ &#' no% ''n +o*i'd 4i%& in %&' +#$' #% #.

In u*in -o i#%' '$ond'n%, %&' Cou% o- A'#*$ -ound %&#% 6o5#*8$ +o*un 4i%in$

$u--i+i'n%*/ id'n%i-i'd 'n+'$*#o #$ %&' +on-''n+' o#ni'. I% +i%'d %&' Bi$% N#%ion#*Con-''n+' on L#nd T#n$o%#%ion, %&' *'%%'&'#d$ u$'d *i$%in di--''n% %'*'&on' nu'$, %&'

don#%ion o- P100,000.00 -o Ju*i#no Li #nd %&' '-''n+' %o %&' o#ni' o- %&' +on-''n+'

3 %&' '/ $#' #'**#%ion '*o/'d in #** %&' +o*un i%'$ 3 #$ &#in $u--i+i'n%*/ '$%#*i$&'d%&' id'n%i%/ o- i#%' '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o -o %&o$' 4&o 7n'4 #ou% %&' BNCLT 4&o 4''

'$'n% #% i%$ in+'%ion, #nd 4&o &#d *'d'd %&'i #$$i$%#n+' %o i%.

' &o*d o%&'4i$'. T&'$' +on+*u$ion$ #' #% #i#n+' 4i%& %&' 'id'n+' #% &#nd. T&'u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$ 4i%%'n / 6o5#* do no% id'n%i-/ i#%' '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o #$ %&'

o#ni' o- %&' +on-''n+'. T&' -i$% o- %&' a+waler #%i+*'$ 4&i+& #'#'d in %&' ;1 #/

199 i$$u' o- The )hili**ine (tar /i'*d'd no%&in %o indi+#%' %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% 4#$ %&'

'$on '-''d %o %&''in. Su'*/, #$ o$''d / '%i%ion'$, %&'' 4'' i**ion$ o- &'o'$ o- %&' EDSA R'o*u%ion #nd #n/on' o- %&' +ou*d ' $'*-3o+*#i'd o #n o#ni' o-

$'in#$ #nd +on-''n+'$. A$ # #%%' o- -#+%, in &i$ 9 Jun' 199 +o*un '%i%ion' 6o5#*

4o%' #ou% %&' $o3+#**'d Bi$% N#%ion#* Con-''n+' on L#nd T#n$o%#%ion 4&o$' in+i#*o#ni'$ are not s*eciied (i%#*i+$ $u*i'd).[11] N'i%&' did %&' BNCLT *'%%'&'#d$[12] di$+*o$'

%&' id'n%i%/ o- %&' +on-''n+' o#ni' $in+' %&'$' +on%#in'd on*/ #n 'nu'#%ion o- n#'$

4&'' i#%' '$ond'n% B#n+i$+o 'n+'$*#o 4#$ d'$+i'd #$ E'+u%i' Di'+%o #nd

So7'$#n #nd no% #$ # +on-''n+' o#ni' .[1;] T&' in%ou%[1?] #nd %'n%#%i' o#[1@]o- %&'+on-''n+' 4'' d'oid o- #n/ indi+#%ion o- 'n+'$*#o #$ o#ni'. T&' in%ou% 4&i+&

+on%#in'd #n #%i+*' 'n%i%*'d "$ho rganied the NCT" did no% ''n 'n%ion i#%'

'$ond'n%8$ n#', 4&i*' %&' %'n%#%i' o# on*/ d'noin#%'d i#%' '$ond'n% #$ Vi+'C&#i#n #nd E'+u%i' Di'+%o, #nd no% #$ o#ni'.

No *'$$ %&#n i#%' '$ond'n% &i$'*- #di%%'d %&#% %&' BNCLT &#d several o#ni'$ #nd

%&#% &' 4#$ on*/ # #% o- %&' o#ni#%ion, %&u$ 3

I 4ou*d *i7' %o +*#i-/ -o %&' '+od %&#% was onl+ a *art o the organiation. I 4#$ ini%'d %&'n '+#u$' I 4#$ %&' &'#d o- %&' %'+&ni+#* #n'* o- %&' !ou$' o- R''$'n%#%i'$ Su3Coi%%'' on

Indu$%i#* Po*i+/ %&#% %oo7 +#' o- +on'$$ion#* &'#in$.

[1:]

Sini-i+#n%*/, i#%' '$ond'n% &i$'*- 'n%'%#in'd dou% %&#% &' 4#$ %&' '$on $o7'n o-

in 6o5#*8$ +o*un$. T&' -o' ''n +#**'d u +o*uni$% 6o5#* %o inui' i- &' ('n+'$*#o)4#$ %&' on' '-''d %o in %&' $u5'+% #%i+*'$. [1M] !i$ *'%%' %o %&' 'di%o u*i$&'d in %&' ? Jun'

199 i$$u' o- The )hili**ine (tar ''n $&o4'd i#%' '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o8$ un+'%#in%/ 3

A*%&ou& &' u$'d # $u%'-u', was almost certain %&#% A% 6o5#* '-''d %o %&'

Bi$% N#%ion#* Con-''n+' on L#nd T#n$o%#%ion (Jun' 293;0) #nd ' in %&' $'+ond

###& o- &i$ #/ ;1 +o*un [1]

Id'n%i-i+#%ion i$ o$$*/ in#d'u#%' 4&'n ''n %&' #**''d o--'nd'd #%/ i$ &i$'*- un$u'%&#% &' 4#$ %&' o5'+% o- %&' '#* #%%#+7. I% i$ 4'** %o no%' %&#% %&' ''*#%ion o- %&' id'n%i%/ o-

%&' '$on #**ud'd %o +#' no% -o '%i%ion' 6o5#* u% -o i#%' '$ond'n% &i$'*- 4&'n

&' $u*i'd %&' in-o#%ion %&ou& &i$ ? Jun' 199 *'%%' %o %&' 'di%o. !#d i#%' '$ond'n%no% ''#*'d %&#% &' 4#$ %&' o#ni' o- %&' BNCLT '-''d %o in %&' 6o5#* #%i+*'$, %&'

u*i+ 4ou*d &#' '#in'd in *i$$-u* ino#n+' o- &i$ id'n%i%/. I% i$ %&''-o' +*'# %&#% on %&'

'*''n% o- id'n%i-i#i*i%/ #*on' %&' +#$' -#**$.



























T&' #o' di$ui$i%ion$ no%4i%&$%#ndin, #nd on %&' #$$u%ion arguendo %&#% i#%'

'$ond'n% &#$ ''n $u--i+i'n%*/ id'n%i-i'd #$ %&' $u5'+% o- 6o5#*8$ di$u%'d +o'n%$, 4' no4

o+''d %o '$o*' %&' o%&' i$$u'$ #nd #$$ uon %&' '%in'n% -indin$ o- %&' +ou%$ a quo.

T&' %&id, -ou%&, -i-%& #nd $i%& #$$in'd 'o$ #** 'o*' #ound %&' i#/ u'$%ion o-

4&'%&' %&' di$u%'d #%i+*'$ +on$%i%u%' ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$ #$ %o ''% %&' #u%&o -o

*i#i*i%/.

T&' %i#* +ou% u*'d %&#% '%i%ion' 6o5#* +#nno% &id' '&ind %&' oo$i%ion %&#% &i$ #%i+*'$

#' ii*''d in +&##+%' und' %&' oi$ion$ o- A%. ;@? o- The 7evised )enal Code4&i+&

$%#%' 3

A%. ;@?. R'ui''n% -o u*i+i%/. 3 5ver+ deamator+ im*utation is *resumed to be

malicious, even i it be true, i no good intention and &ustiiable motive or maing it is

shown, e'ce*t in the ollowing cases9

0D % *rivate communication made b+ an+ *erson to another in the *erormance o an+ legal,

moral or social dut+? and,

2D % air and true re*ort, made in good aith, without an+ comments or remars, o an+ &udicial,legislative or other oicial *roceedings which are not o conidential nature, or o an+

statement, re*ort or s*eech delivered in said *roceedings, or o an+ other act *erormed b+

*ublic oicers in the e'ercise o their unctions.

R'$ond'n% +ou% '*#in'd %&#% %&' 4i%in$ in u'$%ion did no% -#** und' #n/ o- %&'

'+'%ion$ d'$+i'd in %&' #o'3uo%'d #%i+*' $in+' %&'$' 4'' n'i%&' i#%'+ouni+#%ion$ no -#i #nd %u' 'o% 4i%&ou% #n/ +o'n%$ o '#7$. 6u% %&i$ i$

in+o'+%.

A ii*''d +ouni+#%ion #/ ' 'i%&' #$o*u%'*/ ii*''d o u#*i-i'd*/

ii*''d. A$o*u%'*/ ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$ #' %&o$' 4&i+& #' no% #+%ion#*' ''n i- %&'#u%&o &#$ #+%'d in #d -#i%&. An '#*' i$ -ound in S'+. 11, A%. VI, o- %&' 19M Con$%i%u%ion

4&i+& ''%$ # '' o- Con'$$ -o *i#i*i%/ -o #n/ $''+& o d'#%' in %&' Con'$$ o

in #n/ Coi%%'' %&''o-. Uon %&' o%&' &#nd, u#*i-i'd*/ ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$+on%#inin d'-##%o/ iu%#%ion$ #' no% #+%ion#*' un*'$$ -ound %o &#' ''n #d' 4i%&ou%

ood in%'n%ion o 5u$%i-i#*' o%i'. To %&i$ 'n' '*on i#%' +ouni+#%ion$ #nd -#i

#nd %u' 'o% 4i%&ou% #n/ +o'n%$ o '#7$.

Indi$u%#*/, '%i%ion' 6o5#*$ u'$%ion'd 4i%in$ #' no% 4i%&in %&' '+'%ion$ o- A%.

;@? o- The 7evised )enal Code -o, #$ +o'+%*/ o$''d / %&' #'**#%' +ou%, %&'/ #'

n'i%&' *rivate communications no air and true re*ort without an+ comments or

remars. !o4'' %&i$ do'$ no% n'+'$$#i*/ '#n %&#% %&'/ #' no% ii*''d. To ' $u', %&''nu'#%ion und' A%. ;@? i$ no% #n '+*u$i' *i$% o- u#*i-i'd*/ ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$

$in+' - air commentaries on matters o *ublic interest #' *i7'4i$' ii*''d. T&' u*' on

ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$ &#d i%$ 'n'$i$ no% in %&' n#%ion8$ 'n#* +od' u% in %&' 6i** o- Ri&%$o- %&' Con$%i%u%ion u##n%''in -''do o- $''+& #nd o- %&' '$$.[19] A$ '#*/ #$ 191,

in =nited (tates v. CaEete,[20] %&i$ Cou% u*'d %&#% u*i+#%ion$ 4&i+& #' ii*''d -o '#$on$

o- u*i+ o*i+/ #' o%'+%'d / %&' +on$%i%u%ion#* u##n%/ o- -''do o- $''+&. T&i$+on$%i%u%ion#* i&% +#nno% ' #o*i$&'d / %&' '' -#i*u' o- %&' *'i$*#%u' %o i' i% ''$$

'+oni%ion in %&' $%#%u%' uni$&in *i'*$.

T&' +on+'% o- ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$ i$ i*i+i% in %&' -''do o- %&' '$$. A$ &'*d

in 5lialde v. <utierre [21] #nd 'i%'#%'d in (antos v. Court o %**eals[22] 3

To ' o' $'+i-i+, no +u*#i*i%/ +ou*d ' iu%'d %o '%i%ion'$ -o %&' #**''d o--'ndin

u*i+#%ion 4i%&ou% doin io*'n+' %o %&' +on+'% o- ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$ i*i+i% in %&'

-''do o- %&' '$$. A$ 4#$ $o 4'** u% / Ju$%i+' #*+o* in Bustos< KPu*i+ o*i+/, %&'4'*-#' o- $o+i'%/, #nd %&' od'*/ #dini$%#%ion o- o'n'n% &#' d'#nd'd o%'+%ion o-

u*i+ oinion. T&' in'i%#*' #nd in+on%'$%#*' '$u*% &#$ ''n %&' d''*o'n% #nd #do%ion

o- %&' do+%in' o- ii*''.












T&' do+%in' -ou*#%'d in %&'$' %4o (2) +#$'$ '$on#%'$ %&' u*' %&#% ii*''d

+ouni+#%ion$ u$%, sui generis, ' o%'+%i' o- u*i+ oinion. T&i$ +*o$'*/ #d&''$ %o %&'

d'o+#%i+ %&'o/ o- -'' $''+& #$ '$$'n%i#* %o +o**'+%i' $'*-3d'%'in#%ion #nd '$+&'4$ %&'$%i+%*/ *i'%#i#n i'4 %&#% i% i$ o%'+%i' $o*'*/ o- $'*-3 ''$$ion 4&i+&, in %&' 4od$ o- #*'

S%'*in Po-'$$o O4'n Bi$$,[2;] #7'$ i%$ #'#* %o %&' indiidu#*i$%i+ '%&o$ %&#% $o doin#%'$

ou ou*# #nd o*i%i+#* +u*%u'. I% i$ %&''-o' +*'# %&#% %&' '$%i+%i' in%''%#%ion '$%'d /%&' Cou% o- A'#*$ on %&' 'n#* oi$ion ''%in -o *i#i*i%/ on*/ i#%'

+ouni+#%ion$ #nd -#i #nd %u' 'o% 4i%&ou% +o'n%$ o '#7$ d'-'#%$, #%&' %&#n

oo%'$, %&' o5'+%i' o- %&' u*' on ii*''d +ouni+#%ion$, $#d*/ +on%iin #$ i% do'$, %o$u'$$ %&' &'#*%&/ '--*o'$'n+' o- u*i+ d'#%' #nd oinion #$ $&inin *in+&in$ o- %u*/

d'o+#%i+ $o+i'%i'$.

To 'i%'#%', -#i +o'n%#i'$ on #%%'$ o- u*i+ in%''$% #' ii*''d #nd +on$%i%u%' #

#*id d'-'n$' in #n #+%ion -o *i'* o $*#nd'. T&' do+%in' o- -#i +o'n% '#n$ %&#% 4&i*' in'n'#* ''/ di$+'di%#*' iu%#%ion u*i+*/ #d' i$ d'''d -#*$', '+#u$' ''/ #n i$

'$u'd inno+'n% un%i* &i$ ui*% i$ 5udi+i#**/ o'd, #nd ''/ -#*$' iu%#%ion i$ d'''d

#*i+iou$, n''%&'*'$$, 4&'n %&' di$+'di%#*' iu%#%ion i$ di'+%'d ##in$% # u*i+ '$on in

&i$ u*i+ +##+i%/, i% i$ no% n'+'$$#i*/ #+%ion#*'. In od' %&#% $u+& di$+'di%#*' iu%#%ion %o# u*i+ o--i+i#* #/ ' #+%ion#*', i% u$% 'i%&' ' # -#*$' #**'#%ion o- -#+% o # +o'n% #$'d

on # -#*$' $uo$i%ion. I- %&' +o'n% i$ #n ''$$ion o- oinion, #$'d on '$%#*i$&'d -#+%$,%&'n i% i$ i#%'i#* %&#% %&' oinion &#'n$ %o ' i$%#7'n, #$ *on #$ i% i&% '#$on#*/ '

in-''d -o %&' -#+%$.[2?]

T&'' i$ no d'n/in %&#% %&' u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$ d'#*% 4i%& #%%'$ o- u*i+ in%''$%. In &i$

%'$%ion/, i#%' '$ond'n% $'**'d ou% %&' o5'+%i'$ o- %&' +on-''n+' %&u$ 3

T&' in+i#* +on-''n+' o5'+%i' i$ %o +o' u 4i%& # d#-% o- #n Oniu$

6i** %&#% 4i** 'od/ # *on %' *#nd %#n$o%#%ion o*i+/ -o '$'n%#%ion %o

Con'$$ in i%$ n'% 'u*# $'$$ion in Ju*/. Sin+' *#$% J#nu#/, %&' N#%ion#*Con-''n+' on L#nd T#n$o%#%ion (NCLT), %&' +on-''n+' $'+'%#i#%, &#$ ''n

'n*i$%in $uo% -o #** $'+%o$ %o 'n$u' %&' $u++'$$ o- %&' o5'+%. [2@]

Pi#%' '$ond'n% *i7'4i$' %'$%i-i'd %&#% %&' BNCLT 4#$ #i$in -und$ %&ou& $o*i+i%#%ion-o %&' u*i+ 3

F< No4, in %&i$ -i$% *'%%', /ou &#' #%%#+&'d # ud'% #nd i% $#/$ &'' %&#% in %&i$ $'in# o- %&'

Bi$% N#%ion#* Con-''n+' on L#nd T#n$o%#%ion, /ou 4i** n''d #ound On' i**ion 'i&%

&und'd -i-%''n %&ou$#nd '$o$, i$ %&#% i&%

A< T&#% 4#$ %&' ud'% '$%i#%', $i.

F< !o4 do /ou in%'nd #$ ''+u%i' o--i+', %o #i$' %&i$ -und o- /ou $'in#

A< '**, -o $on$o$ $u+& #$ o'n'n% #'n+i'$ #nd i#%' $'+%o$ o o#ni#%ion$ #$

4'** #$ indiidu#* %#n$o% -i$ #nd -o indiidu#* d'*'#%'$#%i+i#n%$.[2:]

T&' d'+*#'d o5'+%i' o- %&' +on-''n+', %&' +oo$i%ion o- i%$ ''$ #nd #%i+i#n%$,

#nd %&' #nn' / 4&i+& i% 4#$ in%'nd'd %o ' -und'd no dou% *'nd %o i%$ #+%ii%i'$ #$ 'in

'nuin'*/ iu'd 4i%& u*i+ in%''$%. An o#ni#%ion $u+& #$ %&' BNCLT #iin %o 'in'n%#nd '$&#' %&' %#n$o%#%ion *#4$ o- %&' +oun%/ #nd $''7in %o $ou+' i%$ -und$ -o %&' o5'+%

-o %&' u*i+ #% *#' +#nno% di$$o+i#%' i%$'*- -o %&' u*i+ +&##+%' o- i%$ i$$ion. A$

$u+&, i% +#nno% u% ini%' +*o$' $+u%in/ / %&' 'di# o*i'd %o in-o %&' u*i+ o- %&'*'i%i#+/ o- %&' uo$' o- %&' #+%ii%/ #nd o- %&' u#*i-i+#%ion$ #nd in%'i%/ o- %&'

'$on#*i%i'$ '&ind i%.

T&i$ in '--'+% i$ %&' $%on '$$#' in New or Times v. (ullivan[2M] 4&i+& %&' #'**#%'

+ou% -#i*'d %o +on$id' o, -o %&#% #%%', %o &''d. I% in$i$%'d %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% 4#$ no%, o'*/ $'#7in, # u*i+ o--i+#* no # u*i+ -iu', 4&i+& i$ 4&/ %&' d'-##%o/

iu%#%ion$ ##in$% &i &#d no%&in %o do 4i%& &i$ %#$7 o- o#niin %&' BNCLT.














New or Times v. (ullivan 4#$ d'+id'd / %&' U. S. Su'' Cou% in %&' 19:0$ #% %&'

&'i&% o- %&' *ood/ io%in in %&' A'i+#n Sou%& o' #+i#* $''#%ion. T&' %&'n Ci%/

Coi$$ion' L. 6. Su**i#n o- on%o'/, A*###, $u'd New or Times -o u*i$&in # #id o*i%i+#* #d'%i$''n% '$ou$in #+i#* 'u#*i%/ #nd d'$+iin o*i+' #%o+i%i'$ +oi%%'d

##in$% $%ud'n%$ in$id' # +o**'' +#u$. A$ +oi$$ion' &#in +&#' o' o*i+' #+%ion$

Su**i#n -'*% %&#% &' 4#$ $u--i+i'n%*/ id'n%i-i'd in %&' #d #$ %&' ''%#%o o- %&' ou%#'>+on$'u'n%*/, &' $u'd New or Times on %&' #$i$ o- 4&#% &' '*i''d 4'' *i'*ou$ u%%'#n+'$

##in$% &i.

T&' U. S. Su'' Cou% $'#7in %&ou& . Ju$%i+' i**i# J. 6'nn#n J. u*'d ##in$%

Su**i#n &o*din %&#% &on'$% +i%i+i$$ on %&' +ondu+% o- u*i+ o--i+i#*$ #nd u*i+ -iu'$ #'in$u*#%'d -o *i'* 5ud'n%$. T&' u##n%''$ o- -''do o- $''+& #nd '$$ o&ii% # u*i+

o--i+i#* o u*i+ -iu' -o '+o'in d##'$ -o # d'-##%o/ -#*$'&ood '*#%in %o &i$

o--i+i#* +ondu+% un*'$$ &' o'$ %&#% %&' $%#%''n% 4#$ #d' 4i%& #+%u#* #*i+', i.'., 4i%&7no4*'d' %&#% i% 4#$ -#*$' o 4i%& '+7*'$$ di$'#d o- 4&'%&' i% 4#$ -#*$' o no%.

T&' raison d>etre -o %&' New or Times do+%in' 4#$ %&#% %o 'ui' +i%i+$ o- o--i+i#*

+ondu+% %o u##n%'' %&' %u%& o- #** %&'i -#+%u#* #$$'%ion$ on #in o- *i'* 5ud'n%$ 4ou*d *'#d%o $'*-3+'n$o$&i, $in+' 4ou*d3' +i%i+$ 4ou*d ' d'%''d -o oi+in ou% %&'i +i%i+i$$

''n i- $u+& 4'' '*i''d %o ' %u', o 4'' in -#+% %u', '+#u$' o- dou% 4&'%&' i% +ou*d '

o'd o '+#u$' o- -'# o- %&' ''n$' o- &#in %o o' i%.[2]

In %&' '$'n% +#$', 4' d'' i#%' '$ond'n% # u*i+ -iu' 4i%&in %&' ui'4 o- %&' New or Times u*in. A% #n/ #%', 4' &#' #*$o d'-in'd u*i+ -iu' in %+ers

)roduction )t+., td. v. Ca*ulong [29] #$ 3

# '$on 4&o, / &i$ #++o*i$&'n%$, -#', od' o- *iin, o / #do%in #

o-'$$ion o +#**in 4&i+& i'$ %&' u*i+ # *'i%i#%' in%''$% in &i$ doin$, &i$

#--#i$ #nd &i$ +&##+%', &#$ '+o' # Ku*i+ '$on#'. !' i$, in o%&' 4od$, #

+'*'i%/. Oiou$*/, %o ' in+*ud'd in %&i$ +#%'o/ #' %&o$' 4&o &#' #+&i''d

$o' d''' o- 'u%#%ion / #'#in '-o' %&' u*i+, #$ in %&' +#$' o- #n #+%o, #

o-'$$ion#* #$'#** *#/', # ui*i$%, o #n/ o%&' 'n%'%#in'. T&' *i$% i$, &o4'',

o#d' %&#n %&i$. I% in+*ud'$ u*i+ o--i+'$, -#ou$ in'n%o$ #nd '*o'$, 4#

&'o'$ #nd ''n odin#/ $o*di'$, in-#n% odi/, #nd no *'$$ # '$on#' %&#n %&'

"'#% E#*%'d Ru*' o- %&' *od'. I% in+*ud'$, in $&o%, #n/on' 4&o &#$ #i'd #% #

o$i%ion 4&'' %&' u*i+ #%%'n%ion i$ -o+u$'d uon &i #$ # '$on.

T&' BNCLT 4#$ #n und'%#7in in-u$'d 4i%& u*i+ in%''$%. I% 4#$ oo%'d #$ # 5oin%

o5'+% o- %&' o'n'n% #nd %&' i#%' $'+%o, #nd o#ni'd / %o o'n'n% o--i+i#*$ #nd

oin'n% u$in'$$'n. Bo %&i$ '#$on, i% #%%#+%'d 'di# i*'#' #nd d'4 u*i+ #%%'n%ion no%on*/ %o %&' +on-''n+' i%$'*- u% %o %&' '$on#*i%i'$ '&ind #$ 4'**. A$ i%$ E'+u%i' Di'+%o

#nd $o7'$#n, i#%' '$ond'n% +on$'u'n%*/ #$$u'd %&' $%#%u$ o- # u*i+ -iu'.

6u% ''n #$$uin e'-gratia argumenti %&#% i#%' '$ond'n%, d'$i%' %&' o$i%ion &'o++ui'd in %&' BNCLT, 4ou*d no% u#*i-/ #$ # u*i+ -iu', i% do'$ no% n'+'$$#i*/ -o**o4 %&#%

&' +ou*d no% #*id*/ ' %&' $u5'+% o- # u*i+ +o'n% ''n i- &' 4#$ no% # u*i+ o--i+i#* o #%

*'#$% # u*i+ -iu', -o &' +ou*d ', #$ *on #$ &' 4#$ ino*'d in # u*i+ i$$u'. I- # #%%' i$ #

$u5'+% o- u*i+ o 'n'#* in%''$%, i% +#nno% $udd'n*/ '+o' *'$$ $o ''*/ '+#u$' # i#%'indiidu#* i$ ino*'d o '+#u$' in $o' $'n$' %&' indiidu#* did no% o*un%#i*/ +&oo$' %o

'+o' ino*'d. T&' u*i+$ i#/ in%''$% i$ in %&' ''n%> %&' u*i+ -o+u$ i$ on %&'

+ondu+% o- %&' #%i+i#n% #nd %&' +on%'n%, '--'+% #nd $ini-i+#n+' o- %&' +ondu+%, no% %&' #%i+i#n%8$ io #non/i%/ o no%oi'%/.[;0]

T&'' i$ no d'n/in %&#% %&' u'$%ion'd #%i+*'$ d'#*% 4i%& #%%'$ o- u*i+ in%''$%. A

'#din o- %&' iu%#%ion$ o- '%i%ion' 6o5#* ##in$% '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o $&o4$ %&#% #** %&'$'

n'+'$$#i*/ o' uon %&' *#%%'8$ o--i+i#* +ondu+% #nd &i$ o#* #nd 'n%#* -i%n'$$ #$ E'+u%i'Di'+%o o- %&' BNCLT. T&' n#%u' #nd -un+%ion$ o- &i$ o$i%ion 4&i+& in+*ud'd $o*i+i%#%ion o-

-und$, di$$'in#%ion o- in-o#%ion #ou% %&' BNCLT in od' %o 'n'#%' in%''$% in %&'











+on-''n+', #nd %&' #n#''n% #nd +oodin#%ion o- %&' #iou$ #+%ii%i'$ o- %&' +on-''n+'

d'#nd'd -o &i u%o$% &on'$%/, in%'i%/ #nd +o'%'n+'. T&'$' #' #%%'$ #ou% 4&i+&

%&' u*i+ &#$ %&' i&% %o ' in-o'd, %#7in in%o #++oun% %&' '/ u*i+ +&##+%' o- %&'+on-''n+' i%$'*-.

Con+'d'd*/, '%i%ion' 6o5#* #/ &#' on' o'o#d in %&' *#nu#' '*o/'d

d'$+iin %&' o#ni' o- %&' +on-''n+'. On' i$ %'%'d %o 4ond' i- i% 4#$ / $o'i$+&i'ou$ #i% %&#% &' 4ou*d #*$o d#' %'$% %&' *ii%$ o- %&' 4i*d *u' /ond' o- -''

$''+& in %&i$ 5ui$di+%ion. 6u% no #%%' &o4 in%''#%' o d''+#%o/ %&' u%%'#n+'$ #'#

%o ', %&' ii*'' i$ no% %o ' d'-'#%'d no 'nd''d inutile -o, #$ $u++in+%*/ ''$$'d / .

Ju$%i+' 6'nn#n in New or Times v. (ullivan, [D]'#%' on u*i+ i$$u'$ $&ou*d ' unin&ii%'d,ou$% #nd 4id' o'n, #nd %&#% i% #/ 4'** in+*ud' '&''n%, +#u$%i+ #nd $o'%i'$

un*'#$#n%*/ $&# #%%#+7$ on %&' o'n'n% #nd u*i+ o--i+i#*$.H[;1]

T&' Cou% o- A'#*$ +on+*ud'd %&#% $in+' #*i+' i$ #*4#/$ '$u'd in %&' u*i+#%ion o- d'-##%o/ #%%'$ in %&' #$'n+' o- oo- %o %&' +on%#/, %&' u'$%ion o- ii*'' i$

i#%'i#*.

' '5'+% %&i$ o$%u*#%'. &i*', 'n'#**/, #*i+' +#n ' '$u'd -o d'-##%o/ 4od$,%&' ii*''d +&##+%' o- # +ouni+#%ion d'$%o/$ %&' '$u%ion o- #*i+'. [;2] T&'onus o-

oin #+%u#* #*i+' %&'n *i'$ on *#in%i--, i#%' '$ond'n% 'n+'$*#o &''in. !' u$% in

&o' %o %&' d'-'nd#n%, '%i%ion' 6o5#* &''in, %&' 'i$%'n+' o- #*i+' #$ %&' %u' o%i' o- &i$

+ondu+%.[;;]

#*i+' +onno%'$ i** 4i** o $i%' #nd $'#7$ no% in '$on$' %o du%/ u% ''*/ %o in5u' %&'

'u%#%ion o- %&' '$on d'-#'d, #nd i*i'$ #n in%'n%ion %o do u*%'io #nd un5u$%i-i#*' &#.[;?] #*i+' i$ #d -#i%& o #d o%i'.[;@] I% i$ %&' '$$'n+' o- %&' +i' o- *i'*.[;:]

In %&' i*i'u o%#inin, +#n i% ' '#$on#*/ in-''d %&#% in 4i%in #nd u*i$&in %&'

#%i+*'$ in u'$%ion '%i%ion' 6o5#* #+%'d 4i%& #*i+'

Pi#i*/, i#%' '$ond'n% -#i*'d %o $u$%#n%i#%' / 'ond'#n% 'id'n+' %&#% '%i%ion'

4#$ #ni#%'d / # d'$i' %o in-*i+% un5u$%i-i#*' &# on &i$ 'u%#%ion, o %&#% %&' #%i+*'$ 4''4i%%'n #nd u*i$&'d 4i%&ou% ood o%i'$ o 5u$%i-i#*' 'nd$. On %&' o%&' &#nd, 4' -ind

'%i%ion' 6o5#* %o &#' #+%'d in ood -#i%&. o'd / # $'n$' o- +ii+ du%/ #nd odd'd / &i$

'$on$ii*i%/ #$ # n'4$#'#n, &' o+''d'd %o 'o$' #nd d'noun+' 4&#% &' '+'i'd %o '# u*i+ d'+'%ion. Su'*/, 4' +#nno% 'ud' &i -o %&#%. E'/ +i%i'n &#$ %&' i&% %o 'n5o/

# ood n#' #nd 'u%#%ion, u% 4' do no% +on$id' %&#% '%i%ion' 6o5#* &#$ io*#%'d %&#% i&%

in %&i$ +#$' no #u$'d &i$ '$$ -''do.

Bu%&'o', %o ' +on$id''d #*i+iou$, %&' *i'*ou$ $%#%''n%$ u$% ' $&o4n %o &#' ''n 4i%%'n o u*i$&'d 4i%& %&' 7no4*'d' %&#% %&'/ #' -#*$' o in '+7*'$$ di$'#d o-

4&'%&' %&'/ #' -#*$' o no%. [;M] R'+7*'$$ di$'#d o- 4&#% i$ -#*$' o no% '#n$ %&#% %&'d'-'nd#n% 'n%'%#in$ $'iou$ dou% #$ %o %&' %u%& o- %&' u*i+#%ion, [;] o %&#% &' o$$'$$'$ # &i&d''' o- #4#'n'$$ o- %&'i o#*' -#*$i%/.[;9]

T&' #%i+*'$ $u5'+% o- %&' in$%#n% +#$' +#n &#d*/ ' $#id %o &#' ''n 4i%%'n 4i%&

7no4*'d' %&#% %&'$' #' -#*$' o in '+7*'$$ di$'#d o- 4&#% i$ -#*$' o no%. T&i$ i$ no% %o $#/&o4'' %&#% %&' '/ $'iou$ #**'#%ion$ o- '%i%ion' 6o5#* #$$u'd / i#%' '$ond'n% %o

' di'+%'d ##in$% &i #' %u'. 6u% 4' n''%&'*'$$ -ind %&'$' #% *'#$% %o &#' ''n #$'d on

'#$on#*' ound$ -o'd #-%' %&' +o*uni$% +ondu+%'d $''#* '$on#* in%'i'4$ #nd #-%'

+on$id'in %&' #i'd do+u'n%#/ 'id'n+' oid'd &i / &i$ $ou+'$. T&u$, %&' -o**o4in#' $uo%'d / do+u'n%#/ 'id'n+'< (#) %&#% i#%' '$ond'n% 'u'$%'d "*oi#

#+###*3Ao/o, %&'n &'#d o- %&' "#'n%$ #nd T'%i*' Eo% 6o#d ("TE6), %o ''di%' %&' o+'$$in #nd '*'#$' o- %&' io% #o#* #nd +'%i-i+#%' o- ##i*#i*i%/ o- # #'n% -i in'+&#n' -o %&' on'%#/ +on%iu%ion o- Ju*i#no Li, 4&i+& n'+'$$i%#%'d # '*/ -o %&'

o--i+' o- "*oi# #+###*3Ao/o '*#inin %&' o+'du' o- %&' "TE6 in o+'$$in

#*i+#%ion$ #nd +*#i-/in %&#% #** #*i+#n%$ 4'' %'#%'d 'u#**/>[?0] () %&#% An%onio P'iu'%4#$ d'$in#%'d C&#i#n o- %&' E'+u%i' Coi%%'' o- %&' BNCLT no%4i%&$%#ndin %&#% &' &#d

'iou$*/ d'+*in'd %&' o--'>[?1] #nd, (+) %&#% d'$i%' %&' -#+% %&#% %&'n P'$id'n% Auino #nd &'

S'+'%#/ o- T#n$o%#%ion R#in'io R'/'$ d'+*in'd %&' ini%#%ion %o ' u'$% $'#7'$ in %&'



























+on-''n+', %&'i n#'$ 4'' $%i** in+*ud'd in %&' in%ou% o- %&' BNCLT.[?2] Add'd %o %&'$' #'

%&' #di$$ion$ o- i#%' '$ond'n% %&#%< (#) &' #$$i$%'d Ju*i#no Li in &i$ #*i+#%ion -o #

uo%# #**o+#%ion 4i%& %&' "TE6 in '+&#n' -o on'%#/ +on%iu%ion$ %o %&' BNCLT> [?;] () &'in+*ud'd %&' n#' o- %&'n S'+'%#/ o- T#n$o%#%ion R#in'io R'/'$ in %&' oo%ion#*

#%'i#*$ o- %&' +on-''n+' no%4i%&$%#ndin %&' *#%%'8$ '-u$#* %o *'nd &i$ n#' %o #nd #%i+i#%'

in %&' BNCLT>[??]

#nd, (+) &' u$'d di--''n% *'%%'&'#d$ #nd %'*'&on' nu'$.[?@]

E'n #$$uin %&#% %&' +on%'n%$ o- %&' #%i+*'$ #' -#*$', '' 'o, in#++u#+/ o ''n

-#*$i%/ #*on' do'$ no% o' #+%u#* #*i+'. Eo$ o i$$%#%''n%$ #' in'i%#*' in #n/ $+&''

o- %u*/ -'' ''$$ion #nd d'#%'. Con$i$%'n% 4i%& ood -#i%& #nd '#$on#*' +#', %&' '$$

$&ou*d no% ' &'*d %o #++oun%, %o # oin% o- $u'$$ion, -o &on'$% i$%#7'$ o i'-'+%ion$ in%&' +&oi+' o- *#nu#'. T&'' u$% ' $o' oo -o i$$%#%''n% o- -#+% #$ 4'** #$ -o

i$5ud'n%. On*/ / iin %&' u+& *''4#/ #nd %o*'#n+' +#n %&'/ +ou#'ou$*/ #nd

'--'+%i'*/ -un+%ion #$ +i%i+#* #'n+i'$ in ou d'o+#+/.[?:] In Bulletin )ublishing Cor*. v. Noel [?M] 4' &'*d 3

A n'4$#' '$'+i#**/ on' n#%ion#* in '#+& #nd +o'#', $&ou*d ' -'' %o 'o%

on ''n%$ #nd d''*o'n%$ in 4&i+& %&' u*i+ &#$ # *'i%i#%' in%''$% 4i%&iniu -'# o- 'in &#u*'d %o +ou% / on' ou o #no%&' on +iin#* o +ii*

+&#'$ -o *i'*, $o *on #$ %&' n'4$#' '$'+%$ #nd 7''$ 4i%&in %&' $%#nd#d$ o-

o#*i%/ #nd +ii*i%/ '#i*in 4i%&in %&' 'n'#* +ouni%/.

To #oid %&' $'*-3+'n$o$&i %&#% 4ou*d n'+'$$#i*/ #++o#n/ $%i+% *i#i*i%/ -o 'on'ou$

$%#%''n%$, u*'$ o'nin *i#i*i%/ -o in5u/ %o 'u%#%ion #' 'ui'd %o #**o4 #n #d'u#%'

#in o- 'o / o%'+%in $o' in#++u#+i'$. I% i$ -o %&' $#' '#$on %&#% %&' New or

Times do+%in' 'ui'$ %&#% *i#i*i%/ -o d'-##%ion o- # u*i+ o--i+i#* o u*i+ -iu' #/ no% ' io$'d in %&' #$'n+' o- oo- o- #+%u#* #*i+' on %&' #% o- %&' '$on #7in %&'

*i'*ou$ $%#%''n%.A% #n/ #%', i% #/ ' $#*u%#/ -o i#%' '$ond'n% %o ond' uon %&' #di+' o- .

Ju$%i+' #*+o* ''$$'d in =.(. v. Bustos,[?] %&#% %&' in%''$% o- $o+i'%/ #nd %&' #in%'n#n+'

o- ood o'n'n% d'#nd # -u** di$+u$$ion o- u*i+ #--#i$. Co*'%' *i'%/ %o +o'n% on

%&' +ondu+% o- u*i+ 'n i$ # $+#*'* in %&' +#$' o- -'' $''+&. T&' $&# in+i$ion o- i%$ o''*i''$ %&' #$+'$$'$ o- o--i+i#*do. 'n in u*i+ *i-' #/ $u--' und' # &o$%i*' #nd un5u$%

#++u$#%ion> %&' 4ound #/ ' #$$u#'d / %&' #* o- # +*'# +on$+i'n+'. % *ublic oicial must

not be too thin-sinned with reerence to comments u*on his oicial acts.H

T&' -o'oin di$o$i%ion 'nd'$ %&' $'+ond #nd $''n%& #$$in'd 'o$ oo% #nd#+#d'i+, &'n+', 4' -ind no n'+'$$i%/ %o #$$ uon %&'.

' u$% &o4'' %#7' %&i$ oo%uni%/ %o *i7'4i$' 'ind 'di# #+%i%ion'$ o- %&' &i&'%&i+#* $%#nd#d$ #%%#+&'d %o #nd d'#nd'd / %&'i no*' o-'$$ion. T&' d#n' o- #nunid*'d i#%ion#* ''+i$' o- %&' i&% o- -'' $''+& #nd '$$, %&#% i$, in u%%' +on%'% o- %&'

i&%$ o- o%&'$ #nd in 4i**-u* di$'#d o- %&' +uou$ '$on$ii*i%i'$ in&''n% in i%, i$ %&'

''n%u#* $'*-3d'$%u+%ion o- %&' i&% #nd %&' ''$$ion o- &u#n $o+i'%/ in%o # 'i%#*'

!o'$i#n $%#%' o- n#%u' 4&'' *i-' i$ $&o%, n#$%/ #nd u%i$&. T&''-o', %o '+oni' %&#%%&'' +#n ' no #$o*u%' un'$%#in% in $''+& i$ %o %u*/ +o'&'nd %&' uin%'$$'n+' o-

-''do in %&' #7'%*#+' o- $o+i#* %&ou&% #nd #+%ion, 'nuin' -''do 'in %&#% 4&i+& i$

*in'd / %&' -''do o- o%&'$. I- %&'' i$ -''do o %&' '$$, ou&% %&'' no% #*$o '-''do rom %&' '$$ I% i$ in %&i$ $'n$' %&#% sel-regulation #$ di$%inui$&'d -o sel-

censorshi* '+o'$ %&' id'#* '#n -o, #$ . Ju$%i+' B#n7-u%' &#$ 4#n'd, []i%&ou%

# *i'*/ $'n$' o- '$on$ii*i%/, # -'' '$$ #/ '#di*/ '+o' # o4'-u* in$%u'n% o- in5u$%i+'.[?9]

L'$% 4' ' i$+on$%u'd, %&i$ i$ no% %o diini$& no +on$%i+% %&#% $#+' in 4&i+& ''$$ion

-''*/ -*oui$&'$ #nd o'#%'$. Bo 4' &#' #*4#/$ $%on*/ #in%#in'd, #$ 4' do no4, %&#%

-''do o- ''$$ion i$ #n8$ i%&i&% 3 +on$%i%u%ion#**/ o%'+%'d #nd u##n%''d, #nd %&#% i%&#$ '+o' %&' $inu*# o*' o- %&' '$$ %o #+% #$ i%$ "deensor idei" in # d'o+#%i+ $o+i'%/

$u+& #$ ou$. 6u% i% i$ #*$o 4o%& 7''in in ind %&#% the *ress is the servant, not the master, o
























the citienr+, and its reedom does not carr+ with it an unrestricted hunting license to *re+ on the

ordinar+ citien.[@0]

On '%i%ion'$ +oun%'+*#i -o d##'$, 4' -ind %&' 'id'n+' %oo '#' %o $u$%#in #n/#4#d. Ind''d, i#%' '$ond'n% +#nno% ' $#id %o &#' in$%i%u%'d %&' '$'n% $ui% in #u$' o-

%&' *'#* o+'$$'$ #nd 4i%& &o$%i*i%/ %o %&' '$$> o %&#% &' #+%'d #*i+iou$*/, 4#n%on*/,

o'$$i'*/, -#udu*'n%*/ #nd -o %&' $o*' uo$' o- &##$$in '%i%ion'$, %&''/ 'n%i%*in %&'*#%%' %o d##'$. On %&' +on%#/, i#%' '$ond'n% #+%'d 4i%&in &i$ i&%$ %o o%'+% &i$ &ono

-o 4&#% &' '+'i'd %o ' #*i+iou$ iu%#%ion$ ##in$% &i. Poo- #nd o%i' %&#% %&'

in$%i%u%ion o- %&' #+%ion 4#$ o%'d / # $ini$%' d'$in %o ' #nd &ui*i#%' # '$on u$% '

+*'#*/ #nd 'ond'#n%*/ '$%#*i$&'d %o 'n%i%*' %&' i+%i %o d##'$. T&' *#4 +ou*d no% &#''#n% %o io$' # 'n#*%/ on %&' i&% %o *i%i#%', no $&ou*d +oun$'*$ -''$ ' #4#d'd ''/

%i' # #%/ 4in$ # $ui%.[@1]

Bo, +on+*udin 4i%& %&' 4i$do in $arren v. )uliter )ublishing Co.[@2] 3

E'/ #n &#$ # i&% %o di$+u$$ #%%'$ o- u*i+ in%''$%. A +*'/#n 4i%& &i$

-*o+7, #n #di#* 4i%& &i$ -*''%, # 'n'#* 4i%& &i$ #/, # 5ud' 4i%& &i$ 5u/, 4' #',#** o- u$, %&' $u5'+% o- u*i+ di$+u$$ion. T&' i'4 o- ou +ou% &#$ ''n %&u$

$%#%'d< KI% i$ on*/ in d'$o%i$$ %&#% on' u$% $'#7 sub rosa, o in 4&i$'$, 4i%&

#%'d '#%&, #ound %&' +on', o in %&' d#7 on # $u5'+% %ou+&in %&' +oon

4'*-#'. I% i$ %&' i&%'$% 5'4'* in %&' +o4n o- %&' *#4 %o $'#7 #nd #in%#in %&'

o*d'n '#n '%4''n d'-##%ion, on on' &#nd, #nd # &'#*%&/ #nd ou$% i&% o- -''

u*i+ di$+u$$ion, on %&' o%&'.

&)"R"$OR", %&' '%i%ion i$ "RANTED. T&' D'+i$ion o- %&' Cou% o- A'#*$ o- 2@

#+& 199: #nd i%$ R'$o*u%ion o- 12 S'%'' 199: d'n/in '+on$id'#%ion #' REVERSED

#nd SET ASIDE, #nd %&' +o*#in% -o d##'$ ##in$% '%i%ion'$ i$ DISISSED. P'%i%ion'$+oun%'+*#i -o d##'$ i$ *i7'4i$' DISISSED -o *#+7 o- 'i%. No +o$%$.

O OR'"R"'.

)uno, Martine, #nd Buena, ., +on+u .

Mendoa, ., in %&' '$u*%.







doctrine of fair comment

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