The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office has thrown out five separate charges of cyber libel filed against blocktime radio commentator Edward Ligas. The decision marks a significant legal victory for the commentator, who was accused by businessman Jerome Awit.
Prosecutors Find No Probable Cause
In a detailed 14-page joint resolution dated November 19, 2025, the prosecutors concluded there was no probable cause to proceed with indicting Ligas. The charges alleged a violation of Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10175, widely known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The complainant was identified as Jerome Awit, the owner of ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corp.
Root of the Controversy: Criticisms of Public Projects
The legal complaints originated from Ligas's on-air commentary and social media posts. He had been openly critical of a riprap project in Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City, which catastrophically collapsed on October 29, 2024. Ligas consistently labeled the infrastructure as substandard. His scrutiny also extended to several other multi-million peso flood control initiatives within the city.
According to documents secured by Ligas himself, Awit's company, ZLREJ Trading and Construction Corp., had been awarded a substantial number of contracts. The firm secured 20 contracts in the 6th District alone, with a combined value of 1.4 billion pesos.
A Victory for Free Speech and Accountability
In an interview following the dismissal, Edward Ligas framed the outcome as a triumph. He stated it was a victory not just for him personally, but for the residents of Mandaue City who have dared to speak out against corruption and poor-quality public works. Ligas and his legal counsel, lawyer Don Anthony Eballe, maintained from the beginning that Awit's complaints were baseless and constituted a form of harassment intended to silence him.
Ligas further alleged that the businessman colluded with Lone District Representative Lollipop Ouano-Dizon in bringing the cases against him. The dismissal by the Prosecutor's Office prevents these allegations from moving to trial, allowing Ligas to continue his commentary without the immediate threat of criminal prosecution under the cyber libel law.
