The Department of Justice ordered recently the dismissal of the cyber libel charges filed by talent manager Annabelle Rama-Gutierrez against former actor-producer Jayke Joson before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office for lack of probable cause.

In a resolution signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla promulgated last 22 February, the DoJ ruled that prosecutors “erred in finding probable cause” against Joson and the resolution dated 21 March last year of the Office of the City Prosecutor is “reversed and set aside.”

“The complaint against respondent-appellant (Joson) is hereby dismissed for lack of probable cause,” the DoJ resolution said.

It also ordered the QC prosecutors to withdraw the corresponding information filed before the QC Regional Trial Court branch 90 and to report action taken here on within ten days from the receipt of the resolution.

“Joson did not act with malice in issuing said remarks against Rama,” the DoJ said. “Considering the element of malice is not present, the instant case must be dismissed for lack of probable cause.”

The case stemmed from the complaint by the talent-manager Rama against Joson after back-and-forth bickering between the two camps on social media and online news reports.

Joson responded with a counter-affidavit denying having a hand in the publication of such reports. He also cited Rama’s status as a public figure, making his remarks against her “form part of privilege communication.”

In its resolution, the DoJ said Joson’s remarks were not defamatory, and that Joson was able to present documentary proof to back the statements he issued against Rama.

The DoJ said that Joson’s revelations of Rama’s pending cases — one of the points raised by Rama in her complaint – were previously reported by several news online outlets.

Joson, according to the DoJ resolution, did not act with malice in issuing said remarks against the former actress and now talent manager.

Joson, for his part, welcomed the DoJ decision.