Inurong na ni Bea Alonzo ang magdadalawang taong kasong cyber libel na isinampa niya laban kay Cristy Fermin at dalawa pa nitong co-hosts sa YouTube channel na "Showbiz Now Na!" na sina Wendell Alvarez at Romel Villamor, kasunod ng public apology ng showbiz columnist na ibinahagi nito sa kanyang vlog.
Sa "heartfelt and sincere" public apology statement ng kampo ni Cristy Fermin na naka-isyu para kay Bea, sa kanyang pamilya, at sa publiko: "We deeply regret the unintended and unfortunate consequences of our actions, including the public persecution that Ms. Alonzo has endured.
"It was never our intention to defame, offend, or harm Ms. Alonzo in any way. We realize now that our words might have fallen short of the respect and fairness that everyone deserves, especially someone who has dedicated her life to her craft and her audience.
"We resolved to cease and desist from any further commentary or content that would put Ms. Alonzo in a negative light.
"We are truly grateful to Ms. Alonzo for her willingness to work towards resolution and healing.
"To Ms. Alonzo, we extend our gratitude. We are hopeful that we can both move on from this chapter with a renewed understanding and mutual respect.
"Thank you to everyone for your understanding, and for giving us the chance to rectify our unintended shortcomings."
Ayon kay Cristy Fermin, tinanggap na ni Bea Alonzo ang kanilang paliwanag at pagpapakumbaba, at ayon din sa kanya, hindi lang sila kundi maging si Bea ay nagpakumbaba.
"Inintindi niya kami kung paanong inunawa rin po namin ang kanyang trabaho. Pinaghihirapan n'ya 'yan. 'Yung imahe niya talaga inaalagaan n'ya. At sa kanyang pakiramdam doon sa binitiwan naming salita na nasaktan siya ay sinadya namin. At dahil ipinaliwanag po namin sa kanya na kahit kailan wala po kaming ninais na siya'y saktan, siya ay sirain, o wasakin. Walang-wala po," sabi ni Cristy Fermin.
Kasunod ng apology, ayon sa GMA News Online, nag-release ng official statement ang kampo ni Bea Alonzo na Garcia Elauria Ruanto & Associates (GERA), na nagkukumpirma sa desisyon ng aktres na maresolba ito "through mediation."
"After two years of legal proceedings and with the case pending before the Regional Trial Court, this matter has run its course under the law. The process has not been easy for any party involved. It has required accountability, reflection, and fortitude.
"Upon deep reflection, Ms. Alonzo has chosen to forgive. Not out of weakness but out of strength. Not to erase what was done, but to free herself from a cycle of harm and hostility that no longer serves her life or her purpose."
Ayon pa sa statement, isinasara ni Bea ang chapter na ito na may "grace, dignity, and peace," at itinutuon na ang sarili sa pagbabalik sa kanyang trabaho, mga adbokasiya, at pagbibigay inspirasyon sa ibang tao.
"We ask that this moment be seen for what ot truly is. Not merely an ending, but a powerful expression of emotional maturity, personal growth, & courage. We thank all those who continue to respect both the legal process & the humanity behind it."
Naghain si Bea ng reklamong cyber libel laban kina Cristy Fermin, Ogie Diaz, at sa kanilang co-hosts noong May 2024.
Noong July 2025, nag-isyu ng warrant of arrest ang Quezon City Regional Trial Court laban sa kampo ni Cristy, Wendell, at Romel.
Nong sumunod na buwan ay nagpiyansa sina Cristy at Wendell kaugnay ng cyber libel complaint na inihain ng aktres.
Samantala, silipin sa gallery na ito ang ilan sa mga high profile libel complaints sa Philippine showbiz:
In 2007, actors Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby lodged a libel complaint against showbiz writer and talent manager Lolit Solis after she alleged that the actors were sharing "sweet moments" at the poolside of Sofitel Hotel. Since these statements were published in Lolit's Pilipino Star Ngayon column, the late Veronica Samio, who was then the entertainment editor of the newspaper was also included in the complaint.
Both Lolit Solis and Veronica Samo were indicted by the Manila prosecutor's office but Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby withdrew the Php 12-million libel suit against the entertainment columnist. According to Piolo, he did not want to see Lolit in jail as she has the same age as his mother. The case was eventually withdrawn. In 2017, the two estranged showbiz personalities and hugged at an event.
Singer Erik Santos sued Jobert Sucaldito for cyber libel in 2017 when the entertainment host and columnist made several insinuations about Erik's sexuality and alleged that the singer was having an inappropriate relationship with his talent manager Erickson Raymundo. Erickson filed separate suits of cyber libel against Jobert as well.
In 2017, Jobert Sucaldito was formally charged with 37 counts of cyber libel. In 2019, he made a plea bargain and plead guilty to the lesser charge of 37 counts of ordinary libel and also applied for probation.
Comedian John Lapus filed a complaint against Jobert Sucaldito in 2011 after the latter wrote in his Bandera column that John got drunk, made a ruckus and acted inappropriately after a Valentine concert at a bar. The complaint advanced to a court case, with Bandera editor Ervin Santiago and publisher Eileen Mangubat set to face charges along with Jobert.
Jobert Sucaldito retracted his statements against John Lapus through his column in 2013. Jobert also filed his libel complaint against John Lapus, who made statements in the defunt weekend talk show Showbiz Central asking Jobert to leave him alone. The court later on dismissed the complaint.
Queen of All Media Kris Aquino sued Atty. Jesus Falcis III for nine counts of cyber libel. Kris and Atty. Jesus have been engaging in a word war over Nicko Falcis, Atty. Jesus's brother and Kris's former business partner who she accused of misusing the company's credit card for his personal needs.
In 2019, Kris Aquino, Atty. Jesus Falcis, and Nicko Falcis settled all matters privately. Kris refrained from talking and even turned off the comments on her Instagram account, only opting to release a statement through her lawyers that the three of them "fairly settled all financial issues and amicably worked out all personal differences."
Celebrity stylist Liz Uy filed libel complaints against blogger Fashion Pulis or Michael Sy Lim after he wrote that Liz had made Maine Mendoza wear "recycled" outfits. This was referring to a Francis Libiran gown that Maine wore to the "Tamang Panahon" concert which was allegedly already worn by actress Kim Chiu, and a jacket that Maine wore on the cover of a magazine that allegedly Liz herself already wore.
In 2017, Fashion Pulis published a blog post saying that the case Liz Uy filed against him has already been dismissed the previous year.
Model and host Deniece Cornejo sued Fashion Pulis or Michael Sy Lim for libel after he published her leaked medical reports on his blog. The reports contained Deniece's test results after she was allegedly raped by host and dancer Vhong Navarro.
Michael Sy Lim was arrested over the charge in August 2015. That same year, he apologized to Deniece Cornejo and she decided to drop the charges against him.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray filed libel and cyber libel complaints against Bulgar entertainment editor Janice Navida contributing writer Melba Llanera after the newspaper published an article about the beauty queen's alleged nude photos in 2021.
The photos turned out to be fake and digitally altered and the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office deemed that Catriona Gray's complaints had merit. Janice Navida faces one libel charge, as well as one cyber libel charge as the posts about the alleged nude photos were also made on Bulgar's Facebook account. Melba Llanera also faces one libel charge. The case is still ongoing.
Showbiz couple Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez lodged libel complaints against Cristy Fermin who was the publisher of defunct showbiz magazine Gossip. The magazine published an article in 1995 which alleged that the couple was hiding in the US to evade estafa charges against them.
In 2008, Cristy Fermin was convicted of libel and was ordered to pay PhP1 million in damages and PhP6,000 in fines to Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez instead of serving a jail term.
Annabelle Rama filed a cyber libel case against producer Jayke Joson after he allegedly called her a "swindler" with several pending cases in an interview with an online news site in 2021. The Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City found probable cause for Annabelle's complaints but Jayke appealed and the Department of Justice dismissed the case in 2023.
Jayke Joson, who was a former aide of Senator Manny Pacquiao, also filed a cyber libel case against Annabelle Rama after she called him a "thief" and alleged that he had stolen PhP140 million from the senator. The Office of the Prosecutor in Las Piñas City found probable cause for Jayke's complaints but Annabelle appealed and Department of Justice dismissed the case in 2022.
Nadia Montenegro filed libel charges against Annabelle Rama after the talent manager made a series of defamatory tweets and statements on television against her in 2011. In 2013, Nadia decided to withdraw the charges and claimed that she and Annabelle have reconciled.
Annabelle Rama filed libel complaints against Nadia Montenegro due to posts that Nadia made on Facebook and Twitter against her in 2012. The complaint also included late actress Amalia Fuentes and late showbiz reporter Chito Alcid. The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor junked the libel charges in 2013.
Amalia Fuentes filed libel complaints against Annabelle Rama for calling her names on social media in 2012. Television host Bianca Gonzales was also included in the complaint as she published an interview in her newspaper column where Annabelle alleged that Amalia went after her husband Eddie Gutierrez and even had an affair with him.
The Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City dismissed the complaints arguing that Annabelle Rama was simply recounting events in her life in Bianca Gonzales's column. For her social media posts, laws against cyber libel were not yet enacted then so statements made online do not fall under what libel laws would consider a publication.
In 2012, Amalia Fuentes filed a libel complaint against Ruffa Gutierrez who posted blind item-type statements about "an old, fat, smelly woman who won't stop inventing false stories" about her and her family on Twitter. Included in the complaint was showbiz writer Allan Diones who picked up Ruffa's posts and published an article on Abante Tonite claiming that it was Amalia that Ruffa was referring to. Amalia also lodged complaints against the newspaper's president Allen Macasaet; managing editor Nicolas Quijano Jr.; editorial board members Janet Bay, Jesus Galang, Jeany Lacorte and Randy Hagos; advertising officer Ron Tamayo; production officer Jeorge Punzalan; and circulation officer Lino Minor.
The complaint against Ruffa Gutierrez was junked as laws against cyber libel were not yet enacted when she made the posts and statements made online do not fall under what libel laws would consider a publication. Abante Tonite writer Allan Diones and Abante Tonite resident Allen Macasaet; managing editor Nicolas Quijano Jr.; editorial board members Janet Bay, Jesus Galang, Jeany Lacorte and Randy Hagos; advertising officer Ron Tamayo; production officer Jeorge Punzalan; and circulation officer Lino Minor faced libel charges.
Esther Lahbati, the mother of actress Sarah Lahbati sued veteran showbiz writer Cristy Fermin for cyber libel in the early part of 2024. Included in the suit were Cristy's Showbiz Now Na co-hosts Wendell Alvarez and Romel Chika. On her Instagram account, Esther posted a picture of her and her husband Abdel Lahbati in front of the Department of Justice, triggering speculations on who she might be suing. Cristy herself confirmed on her online show Showbiz Now Na that she and her co-hosts were indeed the reason for Esther's visit to DOJ.
As the case in ongoing, Cristy Fermin did not give details on what the basis Esther Lahbati's cyber libel complaint was but many speculate that it might have something to do with Cristy and her co-hosts Wendell Alvarez and Romel Chika's statements in online show Showbiz Now Na which fueled rumors about the separation of Sarah Lahbati and her husband Richard Gutierrez.
On May 2, 2024, Bea Alonzo filed cyber libel complaints against Cristy Fermin, Ogie Diaz, and their respective online show co-hosts. The suit also included a basher who pretended to be affiliated to Bea and was feeding false information to showbiz reporters. According to Bea, Cristy, Ogie, and their co-hosts continued to defame her in their columns and shows, even going as far as mentioning her alleged case of not paying the correct tax.
In an episode of his online show Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update, Ogie Diaz said that he has no hard feelings towards Bea Alonzo. While he vows that he will defend himself in court, he also recognized that Bea was well within her rights to defend herself. Cristy Fermin reacted to Bea's suit in her online show CristyFerMinute, denying singling out Bea and profiting off her but adding that she was ready to face her in court.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta and her husband, former senator Kiko Pangilinan filed cyber libel complaints against veteran showbiz writer Cristy Fermin on May 10, 2024. In a statement released through their lawyers, the couple alleged that Cristy has subjected them to humiliation and ridicule due to repeated attacks against their family.
Cristy Fermin reacted to Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Panglinan's complaint against her in the May 10 episode of her online show Cristy FerMinute. "Territorial po 'yan. 'Yang mga libel case, mga cyber libel, it comes with the territory," she said.
Actor, host, and comedian Vic Sotto filed 19 counts of cyberlibel against director Darryl Yap in relation to the upcoming movie The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma. Vic is also seeking Php 35 million in damages due to the supposed malicious and defamatory statements in the first teaser of Darryl's film. Vic's name was mentioned in the teaser, which has caused him "mental anguish and serious anxiety" and has also brought threats of physical harm towards his wife Pauleen Luna and their kids.
Darryl Yap responded to Vic Sotto's complaint in a Facebook post saying that anyone is free to file a case because nobody has a monopoly on justice and most especially the truth. Darryl requested the court to issue a gag order against Vic while he responds to the actor's initial petition. In a separate statement, the director insisted that the movie is based on documented events from materials published in the '80s.