Showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin has been hit with multiple complaints by Esther Lahbati, the mother of actress Sarah Lahbati.
The revelation came straight from Cristy herself during the latest episode of her online show ‘Showbiz Now Na,’ aired on March 13, 2024.
Joining Cristy in this legal predicament are her co-hosts Romel Chika and Wendel Alvarez, who have also been named in Esther’s allegations.
The complaints lodged against the trio encompass charges of cyberlibel, harassment, defamation, and unjust vexation.
Confirming the legal action, Cristy stated, “Tutal sa kanya na rin naman po ito nanggaling, kami na po ang kukumpirma. Kami pong tatlo ang idinemanda ng cyberlibel ng mag-asawang [Abdel] at Esther Lahbati. Kami pong tatlo. At hindi na po namin idedetalye pa ang mga dahilan kung bakit. Kasi ang abogado na po namin si na Atty. Ferdie Topacio at Atty. Ralph Andrada ang nakakaalam po ng mga detalyeng ito.”
Cristy disclosed that she and Esther have already attended hearings related to the cyberlibel complaint and that more proceedings are expected.
“Nagkaharap na po kami nang minsan ni Aling Esther. At may mga susunod pa po. At naging maayos po ang aming pagkikita sa piskalya ng Quezon City. Kami po yun. Wag na po kayo manghula na baka may isinampa sila laban kay Richard Gutierrez. Kami po ang sinampahan nila ng kasong cyberlibel,” she reiterated.
While Cristy did not elaborate on the exact grounds for Esther’s cyberlibel complaint, it is implied to be connected to the separation of Sarah and Richard.
During her program, Cristy noted, “Sa pinakamahabang panahon po, mula nung lumabas yung balita ng paghiwalay nina Richard Gutierrez at Sarah Lahbati, walang sinuman sa kanilang dalawa na kumukumpirma sa kuwento. Ang tagal! Hanggang sa isang araw ay nagsalita si Sarah na, ‘I am single.’ ‘I am single,’ sabi niya. Sa palagay mo, bakit mula sa walang kibo nilang sitwasyon ni Richard, ay nagsabi na si Sarah ng ‘I am single?'”
She continued, “Ang tanong naman po ng napakarami, si Richard Gutierrez, hindi po nagsasalita. Pero naghihiraman sila, co-parenting sila sa kanilang dalawang anak. Pero si Sarah ang naunang nagsabi na, ‘I am single.’ Hindi pa po kasi sinasampa ng sino man sa kanilang dalawa ang pagpapawalang bisa sa kanilang kasal. Yung annulment. Wala pa po yun. Kaya kumbaga, sa kanilang dalawa, walang may karapatan na magsabing ‘I am single.’ Kasal pa sila. Nakatali pa. Ngayon, ang dami-dami po talagang nagtatanong. Kasi naglabas po ng retrato sa kanyang IG si mommy ni Sarah.”
Cristy was referring to Esther’s Instagram post where she and her husband, Abdel Lahbati, had their photo taken in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) office.
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According to Cristy, the photo had been taken a long time ago, but it was only posted on February 29, 2024. Due to that picture, many speculated on who Esther filed the complaint against. Esther has yet to comment on the matter.
