Lolit Solis files counter-affidavit in Piolo, Sam's libel suit

Showbiz host and columnist Lolit Solis on Thursday filed her counter-affidavit before the Manila Prosecutor's Office in response to libel suit filed against her by actors Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby. In her 11-page counter affidavit filed before the office of Assistant Prosecutor Dennis Aguila, Solis said her column in the Pilipino Star Ngayon last October 15 revealing she saw the two actors together at the poolside coffee shop of Sofitel Hotel in Manila on October 12 was not malicious. Both Pascual and Milby filed a P12-million libel suit against Solis because they were portrayed in her column as "gay men." Solis who was accompanied by lawyer Noel asked the court to dismiss the suit, noting that the two actors are both public figures. Earlier in the day, former Pilipino Star Ngayon entertainment editor Veronica Samio made her personal appearance before the sala of Manila City Assistant Prosecutor Dennis Aguila to submit her counter-affidavit in response to the libel suit filed against her and Solis by Pascual and Milby. Samio—being the designated entertainment editor of the mentioned newspaper—was implicated by the two complainants in the lawsuit they filed last November 16. The lawsuit stemmed from an article written by Solis in her column Take It, Take It last October 15, saying that she saw Piolo and Sam together at the poolside coffee shop of Sofitel Hotel in Manila on October 12. While there's nothing wrong with the sight of two men idly relaxing in a public place, the two actors were offended with the way Manay Lolit angled the write-up. They were even more incensed with the title used for the article, which said: "Sam and Piolo, naglalampungan." The two actors vehemently denied that they were together at the said location cited by Lolit in her column. "We are suing because our dignity and integrity have been assailed," said Piolo in a statement. "She has disrespected us as colleagues and human beings and the only way left to restore this respect is through the courts of law." - GMANews.TV