Samantha Panlilio says torture allegations by Rhian Ramos’ driver ‘pure fabrication’

Samantha Panlilio, through her legal counsel, has denied the allegations linking her to the complaints filed by Rhian Ramos‘ personal driver, calling the accusations a “pure fabrication.” 

In a statement sent to Inquirer Entertainment via text message on Saturday, Jan. 31, Panlilio’s lawyers, Buenaventura Miranda and Carl Jon Mucho of Chavez Miranda Aseoche Law Offices, said their client is confident that the case will be dismissed.

“Our client has not read the complaint yet, but she is confident that after due investigation, it will be dismissed for being a pure fabrication,” the statement read. 

Miranda cited police records to counter the driver’s claims of illegal detention and torture, as records from the Makati City Police showed that he was arrested Jan. 19 for qualified theft and remained in detention until Jan. 22. 

The lawyers added that while the qualified theft case was initially dismissed without prejudice, it has since been refiled. 

“Our client will coordinate with the relevant authorities to clear her name,” the statement concluded. 

The driver, alias Totoy, previously alleged that he was illegally detained and tortured from Jan. 17 to 19 inside a condominium unit in Makati City shared by Ramos and beauty queen Michelle Dee after he allegedly stole sensitive photographs owned by Dee. He alleged that he was physically assaulted by the two women along with Panlilio.

The case is currently under investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation, with no formal complaint yet filed before the prosecutor’s office. 

Ramos and Dee’s legal counsel previously denied the allegations, and the latter is considering filing libel and perjury cases against the driver, on top of a police blotter she earlier filed against him for allegedly hurting her. 

As of writing, Panlilio’s camp has not indicated whether countercharges will be filed in response to the driver’s allegations. /ra