The cyberlibel case initiated by actress Bea Alonzo against online hosts Cristy Fermin and Ogie Diaz has garnered significant attention, sparking a national conversation.
Alleging defamation through their online shows, Bea filed the case at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
On June 18, Ogie Diaz responded by filing his counter-affidavit, while his co-host, Mama Loi, countered with charges of perjury against Bea. Addressing the ongoing legal dispute, Ogie and Mama Loi candidly discussed the matter in their latest YouTube vlog on June 19.
During their vlog, Ogie addressed queries from viewers about their future coverage of Bea. “So, yung iba sinasabi nila, ‘Baka hindi na kayo magbalita ng Bea,” Ogie remarked, turning to Mama Loi for her opinion.
Mama Loi responded with laughter, playfully tapping Ogie’s arm, “Nagbalita naman tayo, ah. Kasi nga, ‘di ba, in line with public interest, ‘di ba. Siyempre, artista ‘yan.”
Ogie concurred, highlighting Bea’s status as a public figure subject to public scrutiny. “Public figure ka e, ‘di ba. Siyempre, lahat naman…kapag nandito ka sa industriya at kahit sa politics, ‘di ba? Talagang subject to public opinion,to public scrutiny lahat,” he added.
“Lahat, kahit kami ganu’n din. Nadya-judge rin kami, naba-bash kami nang bonggang-bongga. Ayan nga sa ilalim (comment section ng kanilang vlog) sa comment below noh, kung ano-ano ang nababasa natin. Sinasabi sa amin, huwag na namin patulan, huwag na pag-usapan. E, pag may balita po paano?”
In Ogie’s defense affidavit, filed by his lawyer Atty. Regie Tongol, the “fair comment doctrine” was cited as protected by the Supreme Court. Tongol argued that the complaint exceeded the one-year prescriptive period for cyberlibel, suggesting it should be dismissed.
“As to this count, we are very confident that the charge against our clients would be dismissed,” Tongol emphasized. He clarified that any comments made fell within the fair comment doctrine regarding public interest matters, such as the complainant’s personal and professional life.
Furthermore, an “affirmative defense on improper venue” was raised, noting Bea’s declaration of legal residency in Spain since 2022, which could render Quezon City an improper venue. In response, Mama Loi filed a countercharge of perjury against Bea, alleging falsehoods in her affidavit regarding residency in Quezon City.
As of the latest update, there has been no official statement from Bea Alonzo’s camp regarding Ogie’s counter-affidavit and Mama Loi’s perjury countercharge. The legal proceedings continue to draw public interest as both parties await further developments.
