The Ombudsman had dismissed the cyber libel case filed against Hermosa Mayor Jopet Inton and broadcaster Mhike Cigaral for lack of merit.

In a 9-page decision dated May 6, 2022 but was released only on August 3, 2023, Jane Javier-Garzon, graft investigation and prosecution officer II of Ombudsman for Luzon, it said that the complainant, Atty. Beula Coeli Fiel of Econest Waste Management Corp., failed to present probable cause to indict Inton and Cigaral.

The case stemmed from Fiel’s allegation that she was shouted at and pointed a finger at her during the mayor’s inquiry into the expenses of Econest. Econest entered into a Public-Private Partnership agreement for the operation of Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility in Barangay Mambog.

Something went awry and the mayor ordered the Econest closure on February 20, 2020. Cigaral who Fiel said was employed by Inton arranged a press conference to announce the closure of facility. Inton said Fiel violated the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000 by accepting toxic waste in the landfill facility from other provinces which was not stipulated in the contract. Garzon said in her decision that the mayor’s shouting at Fiel was covered by privilege communication.

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