The cyber libel case filed by Pinty Gonzaga, the mother of well-known celebrities Toni and Alex Gonzaga, against veteran entertainment columnist and online host Cristy Fermin, has been dismissed by the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
The dismissal was revealed by Cristy Fermin herself during her show ‘Cristy Ferminute,’ which airs on Radyo5 and One.PH, on Monday, August 26.
“Alam n’yo po mga kapatid, meron po akong sasabihin sa inyo na rebelasyon,” Fermin announced on air. “Hindi lang po ako nagsasalita at ayoko ho ipagmalaki, pero ilang buwan na po ang nakararaan, idinemanda po ako at si Wendell Alvarez ni Mrs. Pinty Gonzaga. Nabasura po yung kaso.”
Fermin noted that the case did not progress to a formal hearing. “Hindi rin po kami nagharap sa piskalya. Hindi lang po kami maingay, nabasura po yung kasong yon, cyber libel. Nabasura po yon sa Quezon City kaya maraming ganito na hindi na lang po kami nagsasalita. Baka sabihin, ‘Nagyayabang pa kayo, ganito ganyan.’ Hindi po, nabasura po yon. Si Mrs. Pinty Gonzaga po ang nagdemanda sa amin ni Wendell. Ngayon ko lang sinabi,” she added.
While Fermin did not elaborate on the specific details that led to the lawsuit, this is not the first time she has faced legal challenges. Other celebrities, including Esther Lahbati (mother of Sarah Lahbati), actress Bea Alonzo, and Alonzo’s ex-fiancé Dominic Roque, have also filed cyber libel cases against the columnist.
Despite these legal battles, Fermin has consistently appeared in court, stressing the importance of facing the charges head-on. “Talagang uma-attend ako ng hearing. Wala naman masama sa personal appearance sa korte. Natural, di ba? Kinasuhan ka, e. E, di pumunta ka. Hindi po pupuwedeng hindi po dadating ang kinasuhan. Dapat naroon, makikipagharap sa kumaso,” Fermin said.
She also mentioned that in most of the cases, the complainants have not been present at the hearings. “Si Sharon Cuneta, hindi ko naman nakita sa hearing kahit minsan. Si Dominic Roque, hindi rin. Si Bea Alonzo, hindi rin namin nakikita ni Rommel at ni Wendell (Alvarez). Buti pa nga yung mag-asawang Lahbati, yung babae, yung nanay, nakita natin. Pero yung tatay hindi pa rin, di ba?,” Fermin noted.
Fermin continues to remain defiant in the face of these legal challenges, maintaining her commitment to her work as a journalist and online host.
