(From left) Cristy Fermin and Bea Alonzo. Images: FILE PHOTOS
Cristy Fermin reminded Bea Alonzo to be mindful of herself as a public figure, a day after the entertainment columnist was lodged with three cyber libel cases by the Kapuso actress.
Fermin and Ogie Diaz, their co-hosts in their respective showbiz programs, and an unnamed netizen were served three separate cyber libel cases by the actress’ camp before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on May 2.
The entertainment insider hit back at Alonzo’s camp on the May 3 episode of her show “Cristy Ferminute,” although she clarified that she haven’t received the details of the cyber libel cases as of press time.
“Ang cyber libel ay kakambal ng aming propesyon,” she said. “Hindi namin matanggap nina Ogie Diaz, ang [aming] kampo, na ang aming vlogs ay magkaroon ng mataas na views at pagkakitaan si Bea Alonzo. Kami nina Ogie Diaz — at ang aking ‘Showbiz Now Na’ — maging itong ‘Cristy Ferminute’ ay dinesenyo hindi para kay Bea Alonzo.”
(Cyber libel is closely related to our jobs. Me, Ogie Diaz, and our camps won’t accept the claims that our vlogs were used to profit off Bea Alonzo. Diaz and my “Showbiz Now Na” and even “Cristy Ferminute” were not designed for Bea Alonzo.)
READ: Bea Alonzo ‘greatly devastated’ by ‘false’ reports against her, lawyer says
Fermin stressed their respective shows were made to deliver reports on public figures, as she added their reports were done “fairly” and it’s up to the individual on how they would respond to them.
“Kami ang nagtatawid ng balita tungkol sa [public figures]. Hindi maaaring punahin si Bea Alonzo lamang para kumita ang aming vlogs. Mali ‘yun. Lahat ng aming kwento ay nilalatag namin at depende na lang ‘yun sa pagtanggap ng mga personalidad na aming tinatalakay.”
(We put out news based on public figures. Bea Alonzo’s camp can’t accuse our vlogs of profiting off her. That’s wrong. Our reports were done fairly and it depends on how the individual would respond to the topics at hand.)
Taking an assertive stance, Fermin said she did her best to shield Alonzo from backlash regarding her past controversies. “Saksi kayo sa mahabang panahon na ako ang unang armas sa pagtatanggol kay Bea Alonzo.”
“Alam niyo ang pinagdaanan niyang isyu, ako ang nagbigay ng proteksyon, kinalaban ko ang lahat para mabigyan ko siya ng magandang pagtalakay at opinyon,” she continued.
(For the longest time, you know how much I shielded Bea Alonzo. You know I protected her in her past controversies, and went against other people to take on such topics and opinions fairly.)
(From left) Cristy Fermin, Bea Alonzo, and Ogie Diaz. Images: FILE PHOTOS
Fermin’s reminder
The columnist then reminded Alonzo that all eyes are on the latter as a public figure, while reminding the Kapuso actress to understand Fermin’s job as well.
“Dapat intindihin niyo ang aming trabaho ay maging tagatawid at tagahatid ng mga balita,” she said. “Hindi maaaring ang gusto niyo lamang ay aming sabihin… Kaya [dahil] public figures kayo, wag balat sibuyas.”
(You must understand that our job is to deliver the news. You can’t force us to relay the news on your terms. Since you’re a public figure, you shouldn’t be sensitive.)
Fermin clarified that Alonzo filing a case against her is her right, but stressed that she — along with Diaz and their co-hosts — shouldn’t be a reason to stop them from doing their jobs.
“‘Yung karapatan mo, Bea Alonzo, na magsampa ng kaso sa’min nina Ogie Diaz at sa iba pa naming kasama, hindi namin ‘yan hinaharangan. Pero kung ito ang maging dahilan para busalan niyo ang aming bibig, opinyon, at malaya naming mamahayag, nagkakamali kayo,” she said.
READ: Ogie Diaz on Bea Alonzo’s cyberlibel cases: ‘Ayoko nang magpakaplastik’
“Kayo ang nag-demanda. Ikaw Bea ang nagsampa ng kasong libelo laban sa akin, Ogie Diaz, at sa aming kasama. We will see you in court,” she continued.
(Bea Alonzo, we won’t stop you from asserting your right by filing cases against me, Ogie Diaz, and our co-hosts. We won’t block you. But if this would be the reason to silence us as journalists, you’re wrong. You filed the cases against us. You accused me, Ogie Diaz, and our co-hosts of libel. We will see you in court.)
Diaz earlier addressed the cyber libel cases on his Facebook Story, saying he didn’t want to be pretentious on how he would handle the matter.
Alonzo’s legal counsel said in a 24 Oras report that the actress was “greatly devastated” by the “false reports” made against her.
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