Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby file P12-M libel suit vs Lolit

Actors Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby on Friday filed a P12-million libel case against talk show host Lolit Solis in connection with an article in her tabloid column alleging that she saw the two actors in a lover's embrace. In a 10-page complaint, affidavit, Pascual and Milby (Piolo Jose Nonato Pascual and Samuel Lloyd Lacia Milby, in real life) alleged that Solis's October 15 article was "malicious, wanton and illegal," that they suffered mental anguish, serious anxiety, sleepless nights, besmirched reputation, wounded feelings and social humiliation. Aside from Solis, also impleaded in the case was Verinica Samio, entertainment editor of the tabloid Pilipino Star Ngayon where the article came out. Pascual and Milby, who arrived at the Manila Prosecutor's Office around 8:45 a.m., each asked for P5 million in moral damages from Solis and Samio, and P2 million each for exemplary damages. In the complaint, they alleged that Solis' October 15 article put them and their reputation in bad light after she claimed that she saw them "whispering into each other's ears, with their cheeks touching," while having snacks at the poolside coffee shop of the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City on October 12. "The subject article with the headline, 'Sam and Piolo, naglalampungan,' leaves no doubts in the minds of the readers that she intended us to be perceived as gay men," the two actors said. Milby said that Solis has mistaken him for someone else as he was not in the Sofitel on that day when the talent manager supposedly saw him with Pascual. On the other hand, Pascual said that he was having some pictorials on that date. They said that they have witnesses who would corroborate their claims. Solis's apology Solis apologized on October 27 to Milby and Pascual over GMA-7’s Startalk . She wrote another article, this time saying that she is ready for any court case that the American citizen would file. The columnist was referring to Sam, who immediately pointed out that he has a dual citizenship. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) published the demand letter sent by Sam and Piolo's lawyers on Friday, October 26, which stated that Lolit has only ten days to "dispel the negative impression created by your [Lolit's] libelous article." The letter was read through voice-over in Startalk. During the talk show, Lolit satirically thanked the messenger of the Rayala Alonso and Partners law firm for delivering the demand letter on a Saturday, October 27. Lolit then showed the unopened envelope to her co-hosts, Lorna Tolentino and Butch Francisco. "Kumbaga, nauna pa yung radyo. Nauna pa yung print. Meron na sila kaagad na kopya. E, wala pa akong kopya," Lolit pointed out. Asked for her initial reaction to the demand letter, "Yung apology siguro madali. Kasi kung talagang nasaktan sila...nagkaroon ng anu-anong balita dahil doon sa i-kuwinento ko... "OK sa akin. I'm sorry. I apologize. Pero retract sa kanila, kasi kung ano nakita ko kasi yun yung talagang sinabi ko. Ang pagkakamali ko nga lang, e, bakit ikuwinento ko pa yung nakita ko." The feisty talent manager reiterated her stand that she is ready for any court case filed against her. "May lawyer sila, may lawyer din naman ako." Lolit remains confident about what she saw that day at the poolside of Sofitel. "Hindi ko ipaglalaban ang isang bagay na alam kong kaya kong labanan kasi ako mismo ang naka-saksi. Kung hindi ko sila nakita ng sarili kong mata, or halimbawa may nagsabi lang sa akin, ‘Ate Lolit, nakita ko si Sam at si Piolo.' Hindi ako magkakaroon ng ganitong lakas ng loob. Pero dahil ako mismo ang nakakita, malakas ang loob ko." The columnist-talent manager-TV host gave her message to the two matinee idols: "Piolo at Sam, kilala ko lang kayo sa pangalan dahil ‘di ko pa naman kayo naka-sama sa kahit anong project. Pero heto ang masasabi ko sa inyo. I'm very, very sorry na nasaktan kayo. Hindi ko akalain na ganito ang mangyayari doon sa pagkwe-kuwento ko na ‘Uy, alam mo nakita ko si Sam at Piolo nag-bubulungan.' Tapos ganito ang mangyayari. "Hindi ko talaga akalain na ganito ang mangyayari, magkakaroon ng ganitong malisya. Doon nag-so-sorry ako. Pero hindi ko na ma-re-retract yung sinabi ko dahil nakita ko kayo," Lolit stressed. - GMANews.TV