Catriona Gray files libel complaint vs Bulgar editor, writer over ‘fake’ topless photo

Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray

MANILA, Philippines — Catriona Gray has filed a libel complaint against Bulgar entertainment editor Janice Navida and writer Melba Llanera over the publication of the supposedly “fake” topless photo of the beauty queen on the tabloid.

The filing of the complaint was confirmed by Gray’s lawyer, Atty. Joji Alonso, on Saturday.

Alonso, in a text message to INQUIRER.net, said that the Miss Universe 2018 winner filed her complaint “Yesterday (Friday, Sept. 18), 11 a.m. at the [Quezon City] Prosecutor’s Office.”

It was in July when Gray’s legal counsel decried the “fake” photo, allegedly showing the beauty queen topless.

“We strongly denounce this vicious attempt to tarnish the good name of Ms. Gray,” Alonso previously said in a statement.

Gray later sought help from the National Bureau of Investigation to identify the people behind the supposedly photoshopped photo.

The beauty queen also demanded a public apology from Bulgar, as well as P10 million in legal damages, as the paper’s Facebook post and article regarding the photos brought “immeasurable damage” to the beauty queen.

Navida, meanwhile, wrote a letter to Gray saying that the tabloid’s purpose was to help the beauty queen clear her name.