Badoy guilty of indirect contempt over red-tagging of Manila judge
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Badoy guilty of indirect contempt over red-tagging of Manila judge
Former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Supreme Court has found former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa guilty of indirect contempt of court after red-tagging a judge and threatening to bomb the offices of magistrates.
MANILA — The Supreme Court has found former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa guilty of indirect contempt of court after red-tagging a judge and threatening to bomb the offices of magistrates.
In the en banc decision promulgated on August 15, 2023, Badoy was ordered to pay a fine of P30,000 with a warning that a repetition of the same act shall merit a more severe sanction.
In the en banc decision promulgated on August 15, 2023, Badoy was ordered to pay a fine of P30,000 with a warning that a repetition of the same act shall merit a more severe sanction.
Among the statements made by Badoy quoted in the decision was a threat to "bomb the offices of judges whom she deemed as friends of terrorists."
Among the statements made by Badoy quoted in the decision was a threat to "bomb the offices of judges whom she deemed as friends of terrorists."
The posts of Badoy came after the issuance of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar of a resolution dated September 21, 2022, dismissing the petition of the Department of Justice to proscribe the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army as a terrorist group.
The posts of Badoy came after the issuance of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar of a resolution dated September 21, 2022, dismissing the petition of the Department of Justice to proscribe the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army as a terrorist group.
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The court noted that Badoy uploaded a public post entitled "A Judgment Straight from the Bowels of Communist Hell," in reference to the resolution of Judge Magdoza-Malagar.
The court noted that Badoy uploaded a public post entitled "A Judgment Straight from the Bowels of Communist Hell," in reference to the resolution of Judge Magdoza-Malagar.
"She was not merely advancing her advocacy when she made those incendiary statements on social media, she effectively made a call to action against Judge Magdoza-Malagar and the entire judiciary," the SC said in the decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.
"She was not merely advancing her advocacy when she made those incendiary statements on social media, she effectively made a call to action against Judge Magdoza-Malagar and the entire judiciary," the SC said in the decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.
FREE SPEECH?
Badoy for her part had told the court that she was merely exercising her freedom of expression.
Badoy for her part had told the court that she was merely exercising her freedom of expression.
The Supreme Court however stressed that freedom of speech should not be confused with abuse of such liberty as her statements were beyond objective criticism.
The Supreme Court however stressed that freedom of speech should not be confused with abuse of such liberty as her statements were beyond objective criticism.
Badoy also told the court that she did not intend to threaten Judge Magdoza-Malagar with physical harm but merely employed “hypothetical syllogism”.
Badoy also told the court that she did not intend to threaten Judge Magdoza-Malagar with physical harm but merely employed “hypothetical syllogism”.
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But the court said Badoy’s posts led multiple people to publish comments swearing to assist her cause but she stroked the fire further.
But the court said Badoy’s posts led multiple people to publish comments swearing to assist her cause but she stroked the fire further.
"An incitement to commit lawless violent action and is likely to cause such violent action causing death or injury is not covered by the constitutional privilege of protected speech," the high court said.
"An incitement to commit lawless violent action and is likely to cause such violent action causing death or injury is not covered by the constitutional privilege of protected speech," the high court said.
The court also said Badoy’s posts must not be treated lightly as it noted that she has more than 166,000 Facebook followers.
The court also said Badoy’s posts must not be treated lightly as it noted that she has more than 166,000 Facebook followers.
“Her statements, though unsubstantiated, have the power to spark a deluge of assaults against the judiciary and its members,” the SC said.
“Her statements, though unsubstantiated, have the power to spark a deluge of assaults against the judiciary and its members,” the SC said.
In an interview with the media after the decision was released by the Supreme Court, Badoy apologized to the Supreme Court "for the intemperate language and tenor I took."
In an interview with the media after the decision was released by the Supreme Court, Badoy apologized to the Supreme Court "for the intemperate language and tenor I took."
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She however reiterated "never threatened Judge Malagar."
She however reiterated "never threatened Judge Malagar."
"It was a figure of speech, hindi kasi ako terorista, wala akong tine-threaten, doktor ako, I preserve lives,” she said.
"It was a figure of speech, hindi kasi ako terorista, wala akong tine-threaten, doktor ako, I preserve lives,” she said.
Badoy also said she still stands by her statements against the CPP-NPA.
Badoy also said she still stands by her statements against the CPP-NPA.
“I cannot, however, apologize for the outrage I felt that made me take pen to paper and pour my heart out– an outrage that I feel to this day,” she said.
“I cannot, however, apologize for the outrage I felt that made me take pen to paper and pour my heart out– an outrage that I feel to this day,” she said.
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