Liza Soberano to drop charges if internet service firm employee apologizes

Liza Soberano

MANILA, Philippines — Liza Soberano on Friday said that she is willing to drop the e-libel charges against the internet service provider employee who directed a rape remark at her should the latter directly apologize to her.

“Honestly, yes,” Liza said on ANC’s “Headstart” when asked if she was willing to drop the cases of e-libel, grave threats and unjust vexation against the employee.

“What I really want is for her to say sorry with my name, because I feel like just saying sorry publicly, I don’t feel the sincerity and I feel she really isn’t owning up to her mistake if she does not mention my name in her apology,” the Kapamilya actress said.

“Because it’s so easy that it was me because my name wasn’t there. But then again, everything that they were talking about all pointed towards me,” she added.

Screenshots of the employee’s remarks that circulated online showed that she wanted the actress — without mentioning her name — to be raped after Soberano expressed frustration over Converge’s service.    

“Wala tayong magagawa, wala ng trabaho, kaya di bale ng masira ang image, magkapera lang. Sarap ipa-rape sa mga… ewan!” the employee supposedly said.

(We cannot do anything. She doesn’t have a job. That’s why she doesn’t care if her image will be damaged, just so she can have money. It would feel good to have her raped by… I don’t know!)

Liza then vowed that she would not let the employee’s remark pass.

The actress’ legal counsel, Atty. Jun Lim, said he thinks that it is “premature” to discuss any settlement on the cases.

“Personally, I think it would be premature to discuss settlement at this time, simply because we have just filed a case before the Prosecutor’s Office,” Lim said during the same interview.

Liza, meanwhile, shared some words of wisdom, saying that “it wouldn’t hurt to be nice online” after she filed legal action.

“And I also want to remind people that rape is not a joke and it shouldn’t be taken lightly,” the actress said.

“I hope that I never see any tweet or Facebook post or anything on social media about people joking about rape because I hope people will start to become courageous to speak up or to stand up for themselves if they have the opportunity and the means to do so,” she added.

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