ERWIN TULFO Vs. PEOPLE
OF THE PHILIPPINES and ATTY. CARLOS T. SO, G.R. No.
161032; and the accompanying case: SUSAN
CAMBRI, REY SALAO, JOCELYN BARLIZO, and PHILIP PICHAY
vs. COURT OF APPEALS, PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, and CARLOS SO, G.R. No. 161176, September 16, 2008
“x x x.
And while on the subject of moral damages, it may not be
amiss to state at this juncture that Tulfos libelous articles are abhorrent not
only because of its vilifying and demeaning effect on Atty. So himself, but
also because of their impact on members of his family, especially on the
children and possibly even the childrens children.
The Court can perhaps take judicial notice that the sense of
kinship runs deeply in a typical Filipino family, such that the whole family
usually suffers or rejoices at the misfortune or good fortune, as the case may
be, of any of its member. Accordingly, any attempt to dishonor or besmirch
the name and reputation of the head of the family, as here, invariably puts the
other members in a state of disrepute, distress, or anxiety. This reality
adds an imperative dimension to the award of moral damages to the defamed
party.
X x x.”
