Sharon Cuneta and her husband, former senator Kiko Pangilinan, filed cyber libel charges against Cristy Fermin on May 10 at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the report by GMA News, the couple decided to file a complaint against the talk show host for “broadcasting baseless and malicious statements regarding their personal and family affairs,” which occurred between 2023 and January 2024.
They were accompanied by their legal counsel from the Britanico Sarmiento and Ringler Law Firm. The report also noted that the firm emphasized Cuneta and Pangilinan’s right to privacy and to be protected against defamatory, malicious, and damaging statements that Fermin has violated.
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“Our clients have held their silence long enough but the repeated attacks online made against their family are totally unacceptable. It is about time to make her answerable for her criminal behavior,” its statement read.
In a press interview, Pangilinan also reiterated their rights despite being public figures, “Ang dami nagsasabi rin na kapag public figure kayo dapat tiisin niyo ang pagsisinungaling at paninira [Many people say if you’re a public figure, you should get used to lies and defamation].”
“But that’s not the case, in fact, we also have private rights, especially when the matter is not of public interest, meaning it’s a personal issue or family matters and concerns, so that’s why we’re filing this case,” he added.
Cuneta then expressed dismay over the alleged malicious statements and opened up about how it affected their children.
“It gets to a point kasi na [that] it affects your children, your family. I’ve lost sleep over it because even if it’s not true kasi feeling ko kahit hindi totoo, parang syempre kahit papaano may limang maniniwala doon [because even if it’s not true, there will still be at least five people who believe it],” she said.
“There’s a line, you don’t hit below the belt. Pati mga anak namin, marriage namin, lahat na [Even our children, our marriage, everything]. Parang ang sama-sama namin, parang ang sama kong ina, ang sama kong tao [It’s like we’re such bad people, it’s like I’m a bad mother, a bad person].”
Meanwhile, Fermin commented on the cyber libel charges filed against her on her talk show, acknowledging the complaints and admitting she understands where those are coming from.
“Basta naiintindihan po natin kung saan sila nagmumula. Naiintindihan natin kung saan sila nanggagaling. Wala pa po akong masasabi. Wala pa kaming impormasyon na tinatanggap basta naiintindihan natin ito [We understand where they’re coming from. I cannot comment yet. We still haven’t yet received the information but we understand this],” she stated.
Photo: Cristy FerMinute/YouTube
However, she asserted that it’s part of her job and people should understand her line of work, “Kasama po yan sa ating trabaho bilang mamamahayag. Dapat din nilang unawain kung ano ang aming trabaho. Yun lamang po yun [It’s part of our job as a journalist. They need to understand our job. That’s all]. You don’t shoot the messenger.”
A week ago, Bea Alonzo also filed cyber libel charges against Fermin as well as Ogie Diaz and their program co-hosts due to “false, malicious, and damaging information.”
ALSO READ: Bea Alonzo Files Cyber Libel Charges Against Cristy Fermin and Ogie Diaz
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