photo from Instagram/@claubarretto
PASAY CITY, Philippines — Actress Claudine Barretto filed a cyberlibel complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, October 21, against entertainment columnist Cristy Fermin and her Showbiz Now Na!co-host Rommel Villamor, known as Rommel Chika, over remarks allegedly made about her online.
Accompanied by lawyer Lance Abrahm Mateo, Barretto disputed statements concerning her health, finances and a recent hospitalization. She contends that the remarks damaged her reputation. The truth of the disputed assertions has not been established.
Barretto’s lawyer earlier sent Fermin and Villamor a cease-and-desist letter concerning a video posted on Fermin’s YouTube channel. The letter characterized the remarks as “untruthful, scandalous, and damaging” and demanded that the commentators stop making similar statements.
Speaking to reporters at the NBI, Barretto said she had objected to Fermin’s commentary since last year. “Last straw na ito,” she said. “I’m very hurt. My children are very hurt. My fans are very hurt.” Asked whether she would reconsider if the commentators apologized, she said no.
Barretto announced her intended legal action through a statement read during GTV’s Kalurks on October 18. Other entertainers, including Bea Alonzo and Sharon Cuneta, have filed separate cyberlibel complaints involving Fermin. Those disputes are unrelated to Barretto’s allegations.
A complaint submitted to the NBI is subject to investigation and does not establish that the individuals named committed a crime.
Fermin earlier questioned the complaint’s merits. In comments published October 22 by Pilipino Star Ngayon, she said: “Anak, hihintayin na lang namin ang kopya ng reklamo niya at sasagutin namin. Sa korte na lang kami magtutuos.”
