RTC deems Bambi's COVID-19 post as ironic or playfully humorous in nature
Artist and Writer Maria Victoria "Bambi" Beltran Acquitted of Charges Related to Satirical Covid-19 Facebook Post
In a landmark decision dated Aug. 14, 2025, Artist and Writer Maria Victoria "Bambi" Beltran has been acquitted of charges related to her satirical Facebook post about Covid-19. The charges were based on a post where Beltran claimed Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, Cebu City was an epicenter of Covid-19 cases.
Before the verdict by Judge Merlo Bagano of Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in August 2025, Bambi Beltran had not been incarcerated or convicted. The charges were related to the alleged violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
In his ruling, Judge Bagano wrote that the prosecution’s evidence did not go far enough to establish the essential elements required to sustain a conviction under Article 154. He stated that the prosecution failed to establish two key elements for a conviction: that the post was knowingly false and that it was made with the intent to mislead the public.
The court found that the phrase "the epicenter in the whole Solar System" in Beltran's post was rhetorical and not intended to be taken as a literal factual claim. The ruling by Judge Bagano further stated that this phrase was not sufficient to establish the post as knowingly false.
Beltran was charged with unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances. However, the court's ruling dismissed the charges against her.
The acquittal of Beltran may have implications for government leaders and social media users regarding the sharing of satirical posts during pandemics, but no further details about these implications were provided in the article. The charges were dismissed by Judge Merlo Bagano of Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Cebu City.
It is important to note that multiple news outlets had reported Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz as a Covid-19 epicenter in Cebu City before Beltran's post. This raises questions about the role of the media in reporting pandemic-related information and the potential consequences for individuals who share such information, even in a satirical context.
The court's decision is a significant development in the ongoing debate about freedom of speech and the responsible sharing of information during a pandemic. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by Covid-19, it is crucial that individuals and institutions find ways to balance the need for accurate information with the right to express themselves freely.
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