ABS-CBN hindi nabigla sa habla ng GMA Network

Inihayag ng ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. nitong Huwebes na dismayado sila subalit hindi nagulat sa ginawang hakbang ng GMA Network Inc. na paghahain ng 15-milyong kasong libelo laban sa kanila dahil umano sa mga mali at malisyosong alegasyon ng pandaraya sa TV ratings. Ayon kay Bong Osorio, Corporate Communications head ng ABS-CBN sa isang pahayag, hindi pa nila natatanggap ang pormal na kopya ng reklamo hanggang 4:30 p.m. nitong Huwebes. "We continue to stand by our earlier news reports that AGB Nielsen Media Research General Manager Maya Reforma identified GMA-7 as the broadcast network behind the efforts that compromised panel homes in Bacolod," nakasaad sa pahayag ng ABS-CBN. Nauna nang inihayag ng GMA Network nitong Huwebes na nag-ugat ang reklamo sa mali at malisyosong ulat at komentaryo na isinahimpapawid ng ABS-CBN sa kanilang mga programa sa radyo at telebisyon. Humihiling ang GMA Network ng P10 milyon mula sa ABS-CBN para sa moral damages, P2.5 milyon para sa exemplary damages, P1.5 milyon para sa attorney’s fees at P 1 milyon para sa litigation expenses. Bukod sa ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., kasama sa kaso sina: dzMM station manager Angelo Palmones; dzMM news manager Alona Magsalas; dzMM reporter Junry Hidalgo; radio program Teledyaryo hosts Jobert Sucaldito at Cristie Fermin; television program Bandila production head Luchi Cruz Valdez; Bandila executive producer Boyet Agustin; ABS-CBN head of legal department Atty. Maximillan Uy; Bandila host Korina Sanchez; Entertainment Live and The Buzz production heads Malou Santos at Luis Andrada; Entertainment Live executive producer Lani Gutierrez; The Buzz and Entertainment Live headwriter Romel Gonzales; The Buzz executive producer Nancy Yabut; at, The Buzz headwriter Ian Reyno. "In reckless disregard of truth, with malice, and in bad faith, and with obvious intent to defame the plaintiff and ridicule it before the public, defendant ABS-CBN distorted, spliced off, and suppressed the accurate and complete statements of Ms. Reforma and made it appear that plaintiff rigged, manipulated the ratings in Bacolod City and that Ms. Reforma admitted in that ambush interview that plaintiff was behind ratings manipulation," isinaad ng GMA Network sa charge sheet, patungkol sa panayam ng dzMM radio kay AGB Nielsen managing director Maya Reforma. "Plaintiff has never engaged in manipulation or rigging of ratings in Bacolod City, as alleged by ABS-CBN, or elsewhere to obtain or secure its No. 1 status in the ratings," idinagdag ng GMA Network. - Mark J. Ubalde, GMANews.TV (Ang GMANews.TV ay ang opisyal na website ng GMA News and Public Affairs at unit ng GMA Network Inc.)