Libel case filed against Philippine archbishop

Manila: The Justice Department has filed a libel case against a Catholic priest for calling female government staff who entertained President Gloria Arroyo's husband in 2004 as "guest relations officers", a euphemism for cheap entertainers.

The charges filed on Tuesday were made public only yesterday, a radio report said, adding that a lower court also asked Archbishop Oscar Cruz to post 10,000 pesos (Dh909) for his temporary freedom.

"I am waiting for authorities to serve my warrant of arrest," said Cruz in a radio interview. He did not say if he would post a bail bond so that he would not be jailed during the trial.

"The case that was filed against me was already trashed by at fiscal's office. But the Justice Department revived it only now. I don't know why! Maybe it has nothing else to do. I thank the Justice Department because it is making more popular than I should be," said Cruz.

The libel case was filed by the lady workers of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), who said that they were maligned and slighted when Cruz called them GROs (guest relations officers).

Defending themselves, they said they were decently dressed when they attended the birthday party of Jose Miguel Arroyo at night in Malacanang, the presidential palace in 2004.

"The case was supported by Malacanang and PAGCOR. It was a government initiative, not the ladies' initiative," claimed Cruz, adding that when he wrote his article about the incident, he really felt sorry for the lady workers.

Purpose

"I even asked other groups of women to come to their rescue," said Cruz.

When asked about his purpose in making such a statement, Cruz said, "I wanted to show that PAGCOR has been exploiting people, specially the women workers."

Cruz said he was very happy that former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza offered to be his lawyer, for free. "Now I call him my 'Hail Mary lawyer,'" said Cruz, adding, "He assured me that he would take care of my case."

He did not say if he would retract his statement or apologise for causing the women agony and mental torture for being labelled as GROs or cheap entertainers. Opposition Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati City said the filing of the libel case against Cruz was meant to strike fear among the critics of Arroyo.

"It was also meant to destroy press freedom," said Binay, adding that Cruz has been a favourite source of media men. Anthony Golez, Arroyo's spokesperson said, "Why should he blame the palace for something that he did? His actions have hurt people. His actions have put him in trouble."