MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice on Thursday junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) in connection with Richard Gutierrez’s P25-million libel case against the entertainment Web site.

In a resolution, the DOJ has denied with finality PEP’s petition to dismiss the libel case filed by Gutierrez.

It said PEP failed to present any “new and substantial argument” that would warrant the dismissal of the case. 

The department directed the Makati City prosecutor'soffice “to file the appropriate charges in court and report the action within 10 days beginning February 1,” according to initial reports.

Gutierrez sued PEP for libel in April of last year after the Web site released an exclusive story on gun-toting incident purportedly involving him and another actor. The article, Gutierrez complained, gave an impression that he was a troublemaker.

The respondents are PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, managing editor Karen Pagsolingan and writer Ferdinand "Bong" Godinez.

In July 2009, the DOJ dismissed Gutierrez's libel complaint against PEP due to "lack of probable cause." Five months later, however, the department reversed its decision.