Image: Instagram/@gretsfullido
Days after ABS-CBN news anchor Gretchen Fullido filed a complaint against colleagues, some celebrities have begun speaking up on the issue.
Actress Melissa Ricks and Jerika Ejercito gave heartfelt testimonials about Fullido via Instagram and used the hashtag #IStandWithGretchen.
“Strong. Brave. Kind,” Ricks described her friend. “Stood with me in difficult times and I will stand by her. It takes a lot of strength and courage to stand up for your rights, and you did. proud of you.”
“Today she made history. Today she fought for her rights. Today she is writing her own story,” said Ejercito, the daughter of Manila Mayor Erap Estrada and actress Laarni Enriquez.
“I am so proud to call her my dearest friend. Her courage amazes me. Gretchen Fullido makes a brave stand for all women out there who have been bullied and victimized,” Ejercito added.
Comedian Ethel Booba and TV host Bianca Gonzalez gave their take on the issue via Twitter after netizens asked for their stand.
Initially, Ethel admitted she was not aware of the news and explained that she would give her opinion after knowing more about the matter.
“Mahirap magbigay ng opinyon ng di mo alam ano nangyayare,” she said last Friday, Oct. 5.
Mahirap magbigay ng opinyon ng di mo alam ano nangyayare. Saka if magbibigay opinyon dapat pinag-iisipan hindi minamadali. Charot! https://t.co/16ZozXzBpo
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) October 6, 2018
She also defended Gonzalez: “She [doesn’t] owe you an opinion….. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts do not state or reflect those of the company and its management. Charot!”
She don't owe you an opinion….. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts do not state or reflect those of the company and its management. Charot! https://t.co/zCwgvIGaFv
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) October 6, 2018
The following day, Oct. 6, the comedian said, “Not every women [has] the courage to report it to the authority due to many reasons. Let us support her. Not because she is a woman, because she is the victim here. And for those sexual [harassment] apologist, we are going to assume you’ve done the same thing. Charot!”
Not every women have the courage to report it to the authority due to many reasons. Let us support her. Not because she is a woman, because she is the victim here. And for those sexual harrasment apologist, we are going to assume you've done the same thing. Charot! https://t.co/kqQqHSN3cY
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) October 7, 2018
“Hanga ako sa tapang ni Ms. Gretchen Fullido. Sana’y lumabas ang katotohanan sa kaso at mabigyan ng hustisya,” said Gonzalez yesterday. “Nakakalungkot na may taong ginagawa itong isyu ng babae laban sa babae. Sa sitwasyon na ito, puro babae at LGBTQ ang involved, kaya sensitibo talaga.”
(I admire Ms. Gretchen Fullido’s courage. I hope the truth about the case comes out and is given justice. It is sad that there are people who are making this an issue of women against women. In this situation, it’s all women and LGBTQ involved, which is why it’s truly sensitive.)
Hanga ako sa tapang ni Ms. Gretchen Fullido. Sana'y lumabas ang katotohanan sa kaso at mabigyan ng hustisya. Nakakalungkot na may taong ginagawa itong isyu ng babae laban sa babae. Sa sitwasyon na ito, puro babae at LGBTQ ang involved, kaya sensitibo talaga.
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) October 7, 2018
“Yes, women should support women. But when [it’s] women involved in both sides, nawawala ang ‘babae ako’ at nagiging ‘babae tayo’ (‘I am a woman’ is gone and it becomes ‘We are women’). Mahirap. Ang mga involved lang ang tunay na nakakaalam ng katotohanan (It’s hard. Those who are involved are the only ones who know the truth). But still, we do our best so that women support women,” she said.
Yes, women should support women. But when its women involved in both sides, nawawala ang "babae ako" at nagiging "babae tayo". Mahirap. Ang mga involved lang ang tunay na nakakaalam ng katotohanan. But still, we do our best so that women support women.
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) October 7, 2018
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) news anchor Karen Davila took a stand against the alleged behavior mentioned in the cases, via Twitter as well; this she did rather than express opposition against the personalities involved.
“No to sexual harassment. No to any form of victim shaming. Without prejudice to any of my colleagues, these values are eternal to my person,” she said yesterday.
NO to SEXUAL HARASSMENT. NO to any form of VICTIM SHAMING. Without prejudice to any of my colleagues, these values are eternal to my person.
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) October 7, 2018
Singer Leah Navarro, however, sent her support for the same network’s news anchor Ces Drilon. Fullido is suing Drilon for libel for allegedly victim-shaming her.
“Hi Ces, I do not know Fullido, but I do know you. So I send you hugs and my support,” said Navarro via Twitter. “Not because I am a woman, or that women should stand together (but we should, anyway), but simply because I know you and you are my friend.”
Hi Ces, I do not know Fullido, but I do know you. So I send you hugs and my support. Not because I am a woman, or that women should stand together (but we should, anyway), but simply because I know you and you are my friend.
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) October 6, 2018
When one netizen alleged that she was being hypocritical in her message to Drilon, thus Navarro replied, “Sending a friend a message of support is just that. I’m as entitled to do that as you are to opine on it. But, do you have all the info re Ms Fullido’s libel case and Ces’ defense? Didn’t know there was a decision already. Have a nice Sunday.”
The sexual harassment case was filed against former ABS-CBN news executive Cheryl Favila and news segment producer Maricar Asprec, for allegedly sending text messages with sexual innuendoes.
The defendants’ legal counsel, Atty. Evalyn Ursua, said that the complaint was “baseless” and discriminated against LGBTQ individuals. JB
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