Vega/Cervantes Libel Suit Gets Underway

Ramon Cervantes Jr.

Today was the first day of a case which will draw much national scrutiny. Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega is suing Ramon Cervantes Junior for libel. In November, the Cervantes family released the recording of a phone call which shocked the nation. The caller, allegedly Manuel Castillo and the man wanted for the brutal murder of Ramon Cervantes Senior claimed in that recording that Vega was involved in the murder of Cervantes. Based on that recording, and the fact that it was made public, Vega demanded an immediate retraction and apology, and when that wasn’t forthcoming, he sued for libel. It’s early days yet in that case, and we managed to get one side coming out of the courtroom today.

Ramon Cervantes Jr., Accused of Libel

“Well it’s the beginning of the judicial process. We are disputing the case and we are just awaiting to see how the law takes its course.”

Said Musa

Said Musa, Attorney for Ramon Cervantes Jr.

“The court made what they call case management orders for disclosure by all the parties and for witness statements to be filed on both sides, actually in three sides because there is a third party involved as well…a radio station noh. And a pre-trial review will be held down the road sometime in April, I believe.”

Reporter

“Sir, for those of us who have no understanding what a libel is and how it works, how does one defend against this to make a legitimate case? That you know what, I said something and you might think it is disparaging, but it is actually not.”

Said Musa

“Well that is certainly one ground of defence to say that what was said or what is alleged to have been said is not libellous, not defamatory. A second ground could be that what was said is true; that is a full defence. And there are several other defences such as what is called qualified privilege and absolute privilege. So there are several defences to libel. There is also the fact of is it libel or is it slander which is another issue as well. But we are not going to go into that at this time right; we will do that in the courts.”

Centaur Communications in Orange Walk is also being sued for libel, on the assertion that they broadcast the public release of the recording. Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was not present in Court today.