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Sharon Cuneta, Kiko Pangilinan file cyber libel case vs. Cristy Fermin
Sharon Cuneta and her husband, former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, are the latest to file cyber libel charges against Cristy Fermin.
According to GMA Integrated News' Nelson Canlas, the couple filed the case before the Makati City Prosecutors Office on Friday for "broadcasting baseless and malicious statements regarding their personal and family affairs."
According to the case document shared to GMA News Online, the crime was committed on the following dates: March 4,2023, September 1, 2023, September 3,2023, September 21,2023, January 5,2024, and January 15,2024.
In a statement, the couple's lawyers asserted that Fermin "cannot invoke the right to free speech as a shield to freely make slanderous statements and evade the consequences of such actions."
"Our clients, Sharon Cuneta and former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, as public figures, possess the same rights as any other private citizen and taxpayer — they have the right to privacy and to be protected against defamatory, malicious, and damaging statements and these rights have been violated by Ms. Fermin," the statement read.
"Our clients have held their silence long enough but the repeated attacks online made against their family are totally unacceptable. It is about time to make her answerable for her criminal behavior."
'Come with the territory'
In her show which aired after the filing of the case, Fermin said she cannot comment on the cyberlibel case yet because she has yet to receive the case documents.
She noted that cases like this "come with the territory" and that she understands the sentiments of the couple.
"Basta naiintindihan natin kung saan sila nagmumula. Naiintindihan natin kung saan sila nanggagaling. Wala pa po akong masasabi. Wala pa kaming impormasyon na tinatanggap basta naiintindihan natin ito," she said.
(We understand where they're coming from. I cannot comment yet. We still have to receive the information but we understand this.)
"Kasama po 'yan sa ating trabaho bilang mamamahayag...dapat din nilang unawain kung ano ang aming trabaho. Yun lamang po yun. You don't shoot the messenger," she added.
(This is part of our job being journalists ... they should understand our job. You don't shoot the messenger.)
Fermin also appealed to her viewers not to spread hate against Cuneta and Pangilinan for filing a case against her and said, "Ang mahalaga alam natin ang katotohanan (What is important is we know the truth)."
Sharon and Kiko have been the subject of multiple separation rumors. The couple has since admitted that they had quarrels, but that they made up.
Just last week, Bea Alonzo filed cyber libel cases against Fermin and Ogie Diaz, and their co-hosts in their respective programs.
In her show, the showbiz columnist said they respect Bea’s right to file any case, but added that this will not be a reason to restrain her free expression.
—JCB/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
