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In separate interviews with Startalk TX and 24 Oras, Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar reacted to Sarah Lahbati’s return and actions. Read what she has to say about Sarah and their issues. 

Last January 2013, actress Sarah Lahbati caused a stir in showbiz through a series of tweets implicating GMA Films President, Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar. The GMA executive filed Libel and Breach of Contract cases against Lahbati. The Filipina-Moroccan actress then went to Switzerland on January 13.  She returned to Manila on July 11 to post bail, and reportedly left the country on July 16.

On June 2013, Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Winlove Dumayas issued a Warrant of Arrest for Lahbati after finding probable cause in Atty. Abrogar’s complaint.

Lahbati arrived in Ninoy Aquino International Airport last July 11 via Eithad Airways flight 428 from Abu Dhabi. Her boyfriend, Richard Gutierrez was with her. When asked whether she was aware of her Warrant of Arrest and willing to face charges, she simply answered, “Yes, of course. That’s why I’m here”

In an interview with Startalk TX, Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar reacted to Lahbati’s return and said, “I’m glad na she’s back because pending na yung case, medyo matagal na, so at least makaka-start na.”

What drove Atty. Abrogar to file a Libel case against Sarah Lahbati? The GMA executive explained, “Gusto ko kasing ipakita na sa Social Media, you have to be responsible. Hindi porke wala pang Cybercrime Law, ibig sabihin ‘nun, hindi na covered ng Libel ang Social Media, kasi covered siya. Hindi mo puwede gamitin ‘yung Social Media to damage other people’s reputations. Hindi ka puwedeng manakit. Hindi ka puwedeng maging malicious in what you post in Social Media.”

She added, “Ayoko kasing mawala ‘yung gusto kong ipakita na maging mas responsible ‘yung mga tao in what they post, so I don’t know. Siguro kung medyo ganoon ‘yung mangyayari, okay lang sa akin, kasi ‘yun lang naman talaga ‘yung gusto ko eh.”

She further emphasized, “’Yun naman ‘yung message ng GMA eh diba, be responsible. Think before you click.”

In an interview with 24 Oras last July 17, Lahbati’s legal counsel, Atty. Marie Glen Abraham confirmed that the actress has left the country. Atty. Abraham also clarified that though Lahbati has signed her sworn affidavit, their camp has not yet filed Grave Coercion, Perjury, and Libel cases against Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar and executives of ICONS management. She stated, “Medyo nagkamali kasi, ang naano namin dun is we will be filing it.”

Would Atty. Abrogar be willing to reconcile with Sarah Lahbati? In an interview with GMA news, the GMA executive stated, “With what I've been seeing, I think kaya ni Sarah ang sarili niya and matapang na matapang siya, so I think she can face all the consequences of her actions."

With conviction, Atty. Abrogar declared, “I’m not open to settlement.”

-Text by Samantha Portillo, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com, Interviews from Startalk TX and 24 Oras.