Movement Against Disinformation (MAD) asserted that broadcast journalist Atom Araullo’s civil case win against Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey Celiz is a landmark victory for victims of red-tagging, especially for journalists and activists, in a press conference at Quezon City today, December 19. 

On September 11 last year, Araullo filed a civil suit against SMNI hosts Badoy and Celiz for constantly linking him and his mother Carol to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF) on SMNI. 

Just this December 13, the broadcast journalist won the case, prompting the offenders to pay P2.07-million worth of damages that include nominal, exemplary, and moral damages.

Based on the 47-page complaint, Badoy and Celiz violated Articles 19, 20, 21, 23, and 33 of the New Civil Code, which aims to protect personal rights, human relations, and dignity from anything that may lead to serious damage and injury to reputation, peace of mind, and personal relations.

For press freedom

Araullo hopes that winning his civil case contributes even in a small way to the country’s press freedom.

“Siyempre hindi natatapos ‘yung laban dito. Siguradong may mga bagong banta ng paraan ng pang-aabuso at panghaharass sa mga mamamahayag, pero little by little, we’re able to ensure our defenses against these kinds of attacks (Of course, the fight doesn’t end here. There will surely be new threats and ways of abusing and harassing journalists, but little by little, we are able to ensure our defenses against these kinds of attacks),” the journalist stated. 

He also emphasized that the fight against disinformation and towards press freedom does not end in his case’s victory against red-taggers. 

Atom has been at the forefront of red-tagging along with his mother who is a long-time activist and a former Chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. 

In the briefing, Araullo’s legal counsel Atty. Cris Yambot Tanesco opposed Badoy’s statement that the reason for Araullo's civil case victory was solely because of legal technicalities.

“We ask the defendants to read the decision thoroughly. Napakita naman po doon na bukod sa panalo sa technicalities, sa substantive din po pinaburan ng korte ang panig ng plaintiff na si Mr. Atom Araullo, so hindi po totoo ‘yung sinasabi ni Ms. Badoy na sa legal technicalities lang po kaya nanalo,” she stated. 

Meanwhile, Araullo’s lawyer Atty. Tony La Viña also stressed that Celiz’s legal counsel Atty. Mark Tolentino’s claim that they were deprived of due process is not true since they were given the opportunity to present their side, yet they did not take the opportunity.

“Hindi nagkulang. They were given the opportunity… They did not take the opportunity,” La Viña asserted. 

According to Araullo’s lawyer, there is also an ongoing process in dealing with the social media platforms utilized to spread false information. 

MAD is also working towards the filing of Badoy and Celiz's disqualification on the grounds of disinformation for the May 2025 elections under the Epanaw Sambayanan Partylist.

Truth tellers vs red-taggers

The allegations stem from an episode of Laban Kasama ang Bayan aired last July 20, 2023, wherein Badoy claimed that Carol is a member of the NPA. 

“Itong si Carol Araullo… Anak mo na-recruit dahil sa Bayan, chair emeritus siya [Carol]. Pero ‘yung anak niya, si Atom Araullo, napakagwapo, napakakomportable ng buhay. Bakit hindi mo ipa-NPA ‘yan, Carol? (Your kid was recruited because of Bayan. She was the chair emeritus. But her handsome son, Atom Araullo, is living a comfortable life. Why don’t you recruit him in the NPA, Carol?),” Badoy said.

Additionally, the red-taggers also linked Araullo as a “spawn” of the CPP and a communist party member when he was still a student at the University of the Philippines - Diliman. 

They also called Carol an “urban infiltrator” and one of the individuals “in charge of recruitment for the CPP-NPA-NDF.” 

The hosts claimed that the documentaries by Araullo reflected the CPP-NPA propaganda.

Amid the allegations, the SMNI hosts did not present proof to support their allegations.   

Moreover, the broadcaster described that the length of the process of the decision was unexpected.  

"`Di ko rin inakala na magkakaroon na agad ng desisyon sa kaso (I also did not expect that there will be a decision for the case) after one year. So I want to express that it is unusual in the context of the Philippines, but it's a pleasant surprise,” he said.

According to Araullo, they are unsure what will be the next move of Badoy and her legal counsel, but they will be ready for it.

La Viña added that the case is open not only for journalists and activists but also for ordinary people who continuously receive threats and intimidation due to red-tagging. 

- Cassandra Luis J. De Leon and Kasharelle Javier
(Photo by Alexandra Louise Borbon/FEU Advocate)