GMA Network yesterday filed a libel case against ABS-CBN, its executives and talents at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, for alleged erroneous and malicious news reports and commentaries it aired that pointed to GMA Network as responsible for the alleged TV ratings manipulation in Bacolod City , a press release from the company said.

The complaint said ABS-CBN made it appear in its TV and radio programs that GMA-7, “rigged, manipulated the ratings in Bacolod and that Ms. Reforma admitted in that (DZMM) ambush interview that GMA-7 was behind the ratings manipulation.”

GMA Network said that nowhere in AGB Nielsen general manager Maya Reforma's affidavit submitted in court did she accuse or state that GMA-7 cheated in the ratings nor was it involved in the ‘ratings manipulation' in Bacolod, the press release said.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN-Bacolod, said in a press release that no thing is more important to them, than to serve their viewers truthfully.

It said that the TV ratings gathered by AGB Nielsen Media Research – which randomly selects homes where they can install meters or panels to get a sample of television viewers – was compromised.

“Because of this, we appealed to AGB Nielsen Media Research to take the necessary actions,” ABS-CBN said in its press release.

“ If there is cheating in the TV ratings, we may never know how our viewers feel about our programs. Your Kapamilya will hold its ground, and fight for the truth, for your (viewers) sake,” it said.

However, the press release added GMA Network said that the systematic and repetitious airing of substantially the same malicious statements by ABS-CBN in different programs, by different anchors and talents, and on different dates show the acts were “orchestrated, scripted, and intentionally perpetrated to defame, impeach, and besmirch the reputation of GMA-7”.*

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Help sought for lost son

The mother of a 13-year-old boy from Purok Mahimulaton, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod Citym is seeking the help of those who may have seen her son, who has not returned since he left their home on Dec. 19, 2007.

Lucenda Cueco, 46, a vendor and laundrywoman, yesterday told the DAILY STAR that it was the third time that her son, Renz Cueco, had left home, as he has been “addicted” to playing computer games.

She said she had transferred him from a public high school in Bacolod to Ma-ao, Bago City hoping he would no longer skip classes to play computer games, to no avail.

Lucenda said her son has been so hooked on computer games that he would steal cash and valuables from her and his younger brother, Rogie, 9.

She appealed to the police to strictly impose laws on computer shops near schools so they will prohibit minors from playing games, especially during class hours.

Any information about the whereabouts of Renz may be relayed to Lucenda through cellphone number 0920-3931-773 or to the DAILY STAR office at Tel. No. 433-0455.*GCT

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Brownout set today

The Central Negros Electric Cooperative will conduct maintenance works from 6 to 7 a.m. today and this will result another power interruption in areas under the Alijis Feeder 2, in Bacolod City , a CENECO press release said.

Member-consumers in affected areas may call the CENECO Call Center at Tel. Nos. 1621, 709-1256, 709-1257, and 435-3640 to 55, local 259, if they have any complaints.*

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