Photo courtesy of Noel Ferrer

Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo just scored a major legal victory. A Quezon City court ruled in his favor, ordering former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz to pay a hefty P2 million fine for red-tagging him and his family.

In a 27-page decision, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 306 said that Badoy and Celiz crossed the line and abused their right to free speech when they linked Araullo’s family to communist rebels. The court's ruling sends a clear message: reckless accusations come with consequences.

What’s their response?

As of writing, Badoy hasn’t given a statement despite efforts to reach her. Celiz, on the other hand, didn’t hold back. In his statement, he called the decision an “apparent miscarriage of justice,” claiming that the court didn’t give them a fair shot to present their side—including their testimonies and witnesses.

Celiz added that this fight isn’t over just yet. He and Badoy plan to explore all possible appeal options.

What’s the big deal?

Red-tagging has long been a controversial issue in the Philippines. It’s a practice where individuals are publicly accused of having ties to communist groups without solid proof—something that not only harms reputations but can also put lives at risk.

For Atom Araullo, this win is a big step in holding people accountable for spreading dangerous accusations. It’s also a reminder that while free speech is a right, it doesn’t come without responsibility.

Stay tuned to see if Badoy and Celiz follow through with their appeal. For now, though, Atom Araullo can breathe a little easier.