Warrants issued vs Edward Ligas for 3 counts of cyber libel

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Talisay City has issued warrants of arrest against radio commentator and international boxing judge Edward Ligas in connection with three counts of cyber libel previously filed against him.

The warrants, issued on Monday, June 22, by RTC Branch 65 in Talisay City, set bail at P48,000 for each count, or a total of P144,000.

Ligas told CDN Digital that he voluntarily surrendered on Tuesday morning and immediately posted bail.

READ: Edward Ligas faces grave slander charge

He was issued a release order at 11 a.m. of the same day. The arraignment and pre-trial conference for his cases have been scheduled on August 3.

“These arrest warrants will not shaken or stop me from continuing to expose the widespread corruption of flood control projects in this country,” Ligas said.

In an earlier interview, Ligas also said that the filing of charges against him was part of the hazards of his job. He said that this will never stop him form exposing ghost, substandard and overpriced flood control projects.

READ: SC affirms ruling on cyberlibel prescription period

Cyber Libel

Engineer Jerome Awit, president and CEO of ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corp., filed cyber libel charges against Ligas for allegedly accusing him and his company, on three separate instances on social media, of corruption for the implementation of a “substandard” riprap project along the Butuanon River in Mandaue City, a portion of which collapsed on October 29, 2024.

Following the issuance of arrest warrants against Ligas, Awit said that “freedom of speech is never absolute.”

“I hope this case will be a warning to everybody who posts on social media. Please be mindful. They may just be words, but they can destroy lives,” he said in a statement.

Awit admitted that he was hurt by the accusations made against him and his company.

“Our company was built from years of hardwork. I am not a nepo baby. I built this firm from the ground up. It hurts when people who don’t know me, my family, and my company, make false and inaccurate statements,” he said.

“It is especially vexing when these false and inaccurate statements are made by a person who has a following on social media. This is why I brought the matter to the court. I respect the legal process and am grateful for the thorough review of facts and the commitment to the rule of law,” he added.

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