Michelle Dee asks NBI to probe Xian Gaza, FB pages posts

Beauty queen-actress Michelle Dee on Monday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe posts made by Xian Gaza and other Facebook pages.

In her affidavit, Dee asked the NBI to investigate the matter and to assist her in the filing of a criminal charge for cyber-libel against Gaza.

“Maraming lumabas na mga fake news sa Facebook katulad na tumakas daw si Michelle at mga defamatory accusations,” Dee’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, told GMA News Online.

(There is a lot of fake news such as claims that Michelle left as well as defamatory accusations.)

“Michelle will not tolerate this so she sought the help of the NBI regarding this. She wants to show the public also that she will never run from this investigation as all the allegations of Totoy are all fabrications,” she added.

In Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Monday, Abraham-Garduque also said that false information about Dee has been circulating almost everyday. 

"Napakarami na po, halos araw-araw may mga lumalabas na mga maling impormasyon tungkol po kay Michelle. In fact meron pong isa pa dun na nasa ibang bansa daw siya at tumakas, so here. She's here, kita niyo naman never po siya umalis ng bansa," said Abraham-Garduque. 

Dee, for her part, said that she has worked hard for her career, adding that the controversy has been hurtful. 

"I've built my whole career out of blood, sweat, and tears, so of course, to be the subject of scrutiny, it's not the first time, of course, pero syempre nakakasakit kasi sometimes people with scandals like this, they forget what you've done for your career and the hard work you've put," she said.

"Everyone is open to their own opinions, I respect all opinions, I respect constructive criticism, but there is a line that is crossed in terms of defamation and intentionally trying to take your career out of your hands," she added. 

When asked how she has been doing, Dee noted she has been better and that she has trust in the justice system. 

"Well, of course, I'm human, I've been better, pero may tiwala naman po ako sa sistema natin tapos alam ko rin po na lalabas ang katotohanan. Do I feel worried? I know I'm on the right side of this," she said.

This came after a man who identified himself as Rhian Ramos’ driver and personal assistant filed a complaint with the NBI against Ramos, Dee, and others.

Totoy claimed that on January 17,  he was forcibly brought to Ramos and Dee’s condo unit, where he was told to admit that he stole an angpao with sensitive pictures from the condo unit.

According to Abraham-Garduque, Dee also asked the NBI about the status of the case and assured her cooperation.

“Michelle likewise assured that she will cooperate in the investigation to ensure that the truth will come out,” the lawyer said.

Diverting the issue?

In a post on his Facebook account, Gaza described Dee's filing of complaint as "good move, very strategic."

He said it was done to divert the issue.

"Kailangan nila ako ngayong kasuhan for damage control. At the same time, 'yung mga journalists, news agencies, and content creators na magpo-post sa kanya in the future ay mangingilag na. That's the clear message for everyone. To save her name and career. I fully understand the bigger picture. In Tagalog, nauunawaan ko si Michelle Dee. Happy to help," he said.

(They need to file a complaint against me for damage control. At the same time, the journalists, news agencies, and content creators who will post about her in the future will be very cautious.)  —AOL/CDC, GMA Integrated News