Ogie Diaz reacts to Bea Alonzo’s cyberlibel charge, Liza Soberano’s repost

(From left) Bea Alonzo, Ogie Diaz, and Liza Soberano. Images: FILE PHOTOS

Ogie Diaz reiterated that he has no hard feelings against Bea Alonzo after the latter filed three cyberlibel cases against him, among other respondents, nor did he mind that his former ward Liza Soberano shared a news report related to the case on her social media page.

Speaking on the May 6 episode of his showbiz vlog, Diaz said being on the receiving end of cyberlibel cases is part of his job as someone who reports entertainment news. He was accompanied by Loi Villarama and Dyosa Pockoh in the video.

“Bahagi lang naman ito ng trabaho namin dahil nakagawa kami ng mabuti. Meron ding magagalit sa’min dahil feeling na hindi mabuti ang ginawa namin. Feeling nila na nasaktan namin sila kahit hindi naman,” he said.

(It is part of our job which we try to do well. Others get mad at us because they feel like we did something wrong. They feel like we’re hurting them even if it’s not our intention to do so.)

The entertainment insider then clarified that he has yet to receive a copy of the cyberlibel cases filed against him, along with another show biz talk show host Cristy Fermin, but noted that his camp will defend their side of the case. Diaz also shared that his camp might get wind of them in “two weeks” time.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi pa namin nakukuha ang kopya ng [cyber libel cases]. Pero siyempre, wala kaming choice kundi idepensa ang aming panig at kumuha ng abogado para maipagtanggol ang aming sarili,” he said.

(From left) Cristy Fermin, Bea Alonzo, and Ogie Diaz. Images: FILE PHOTOS

“Basta ang importante, sa totoo lang, hindi ako galit kay Bea Alonzo. Naniniwala ako na karapatan niya ‘yan. Kung feeling niya na nasaktan natin siya [sa mga nai-report namin], karapatan niya ‘yun,” continued Diaz.

(Honestly, we haven’t received a copy of the cyber libel cases yet. But of course, we have no choice but to defend our side with the help of a lawyer. But what is important is, to be frank, I’m not mad at Bea Alonzo. I believe that it’s her right to do so. If she feels hurt with what we reported about her, it’s her right.)

Insisting that he doesn’t harbor any “anger or hate” against Alonzo despite her filing, Diaz said he would instead focus on the “good things” he has done for other celebrities in the past.

“Karapatan din naming idepensa ang aming sarili at ipaglaban kung ano ang para sa’min ang fairness,” he said. “Wala akong naramdaman na galit or hate… Ayaw na naming magbuhat bangko at isa-isahin ang kabutihan at kabayahan na [ginawa namin] para sa artista… Kapag wala na kaming bashers, hindi na kami relevant.”

(It’s our right to defend ourselves and fight for what we believe is fairness. I don’t harbor any anger or hate. We don’t want to toot our own horn and cite what we’ve done for other celebrities. When we don’t have any bashers, we’re not relevant.)

On Liza Soberano

When asked what he thought about Soberano seemingly expressing her support for Alonzo, albeit in an indirect manner, on social media, Diaz said he also does not see it as a problem, and is not taking it against his former talent.

Soberano earlier made headlines after liking and reposting a report related to Alonzo filing a cyber libel case against Diaz on her X (formerly Twitter) page.

Liza Soberano and Ogie Diaz. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update

“Nakita ko nga ‘yun. Marami ring nagsend sa’kin ng screenshots ng pag-repost ni Liza Soberano. Sa’kin, walang problema ‘yun. Okay lang. Twitter account niya ‘yun eh. Karapatan niya ‘yun,” he said.

(I saw it. Many people also sent me screenshots of Liza Soberano reposting the report. For me, I have no problem with it. It’s okay. It’s her Twitter account. It’s her right to do so.)

Villarama then prodded Diaz to share his thoughts on Soberano’s father John reposting the report on Facebook with the caption: “Yess.” Diaz said he doesn’t want to give John the time of day, without disclosing any details of their past interactions.

“Hindi ko na siya pinapansin. Ganyan na siya sa’kin ever since. Hayaan mo na siya,” Diaz said of John. (I don’t mind him at all. He has always been that way to me ever since. Just let him be.)

In the video, Diaz said only he and Soberano knew what truly happened when they parted ways, and hoped she would achieve her dreams of making it big in Hollywood.

“Alam namin ni Liza kung ano ang truth sa amin. Kapag may maling nasabi si Liza, cino-correct ko lang,” he said. “Hindi naman ako nagtatampo. Hindi ko alam kung siya nagtatampo sa’kin or whatever. Kasi naghiwalay kami nang maayos. Ang pinagdadasal ko lang na sana makuha niya ang [kanyang] goal [sa Hollywood].”

(Liza knows the truth of what happened between us. If ever Liza would say something wrong, I would correct it. I have nothing against her. I don’t know if she harbors any negative feelings towards me because we parted ways on civil terms. I just pray for her to achieve her goals in Hollywood.)

Alonzo herself has yet to make a comment filed against Diaz, Fermin, their co-hosts on their respective showbiz programs, and an unnamed netizen who claimed to know her personally, as of press time.

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