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Liang vs People
FACTS:
Petitioner Jeffrey Liang was working for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
In 1994, he was arrested and charged with two (2) counts of oral defamation
for allegedly uttering defamatory words against a fellow ADB employee.
The prosecution filed for a petition for certiorari and mandamus with the RTC
of Pasig City which set aside the rulings of the MTC and ordered the MTC to
enforce the warrant of arrest it earlier issued.
Petitioner elevated the case to the SC, arguing that he is immune from suit
based on the Agreement between ADB and the Philippine Government.
ISSUE:
HELD:
No, he is not.
The Court held that the immunity under Section 45 of the Agreement is not
absolute, but subject to the exception that the acts must be done in
official capacity. Hence, slandering a person could not possibly be
covered by the immunity agreement because our laws do not allow the
commission of a crime, such as defamation, in the name of official duty.