Atom Araullo files P2-M damage suit vs. Badoy, Celiz

Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo on Monday filed a P2-million civil complaint against former communications undersecretary Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz for allegedly linking his family to communist rebels.

According to the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), the complaint is pursuant to Articles 19, 20, 21, 26, and 33 of the Civil Code.

“In seeking redress, Mr. Araullo claims nominal, moral, and exemplary damages amounting to P2,070,000,” MAD said in a statement.

“In addition, he is pursuing reasonable attorney’s fees and costs of litigation, highlighting the fact that the need for legal action arose directly from the need to vindicate his rights and assert the truth against the false narratives presented by the respondents,” it added.

Araullo is represented by lawyers from MAD.

According to MAD, Araullo and his mother, Carol Araullo, became the center of a “red-tagging spree” from early 2022 to January 2023.

The group said Araullo, among other things, was called the “spawn” of an “active CPP Central Committee leader.”

The group also said Araullo was painted as an orchestrator of attacks against the government, being a member of the communist party, and accused of producing content that aligns with the propaganda of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In a tweet, Araullo said the complaint stems from accusations and personal attacks Badoy and Celiz allegedly made against him and his family through their program on the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) and other social media platforms.

“It is my considered belief that the nature of their remarks goes far beyond the boundaries of fair criticism, and are designed to discredit, intimidate, and foment public animosity towards both me and my family,” Araullo said.

"It also seems to be part of a broader pattern to harass and undermine members of the media whose reporting does not fit their agenda," he added.

Araullo filed the complaint with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

At a press conference, Araullo said he filed the complaint not only for the safety of his family but also to defend press freedom.

He said that though he will not file a criminal complaint against Badoy and Celiz "for now," individuals who spread disinformation must be held accountable.

“Nais ko rin linawin na hindi ako magsasampa ng kasong kriminal laban kay Badoy at Celiz sa ngayon. Tutol ako sa criminalization ng libel dahil nagagamit din ito upang gipitin ang lehitimong media,” he said.

(I also want to clarify that I will not file a criminal complaint against Badoy and Celiz for now. I am against the criminalization of libel because it is also being used against members of legitimate media.)

"Gayunpaman, kailangan pigilan at managot ng mga malisyosong pasimuno ng disinformation," he added.

(Be that as it may, those who maliciously spread disinformation must be stopped and held accountable.)

Reacting to Araullo's move, Celiz reiterated his previous Facebook post where he again linked the broadcast journalist and his mother to the CPP.

In his Facebook post on Sunday, Celiz told Araullo and his mother to first condemn terrorism before filing a case against him and Badoy.
Celiz said Carol Araullo's refusal to condemn the CPP is a "clear indication of the validity of our assertions."

Meanwhile, Badoy said she was "amused" by the filing of the complaint against them.

"It's really interesting to me. Nakakatawa sila. So alam namin kung bakit nila ito ginagawa. It’s to silence, to scare, to harass us," Badoy said in a program on SMNI.

(It’s really interesting to me. They are funny. We know why they are doing this. It’s to silence, to scare, to harass us.)

In July, Carol Araullo, chairperson emeritus of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, also filed a civil suit worth over P2 million against Badoy and Celiz over their supposed repeated red-tagging in their program.

Statements of support

In a separate statement, MAD said it stood by Araullo for his resolve to demand accountability from Celiz and Badoy-Partosa, saying red-tagging is a serious act that could lead to the violation of human rights.

“It is a form of disinformation that tarnishes a person’s reputation and exposes people to threats, harassment, and violence,” it said.

“Red-tagging tears down credibility destroys good names, instills fear, incites hatred, and foments violence. These have no place in a democracy and its perpetrators must be held accountable under the law,” it added.

Also expressing its support for Araullo, the National Union of Journalists (NUJP) said red-tagging is a narrative used to justify arrests, trumped-up charges, surveillance, and other forms of harassment.

“This practice has to stop. It’s time for these malign red-taggers to face the full force of the law,” the NUJP said.

Altermidya, meanwhile, commended Araullo for filing a civil complaint instead of a libel case.

“That the powerful voice of one of the country’s most awarded and highly regarded journalists is added to the fight against the menace of red-tagging is an important step in defending the people’s right to know,” it said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News

Atom Araullo is a GMA Network talent who co-anchors and hosts some of its  programs.