Cristy Fermin breaks silence on cyberlibel cases filed by Bea Alonzo: 'Huwag masyadong balat-sibuyas'
Cristy Fermin has spoken up on the cyberlibel cases that Bea Alonzo filed against her and Ogie Diaz, stressing that the reports she made about the actress were done "fairly."
Addressing the complaint during a livestream on her Cristy Ferminute program, the showbiz insider said she has not yet received the details of Alonzo's complaints, but understood that it was her right to file them.
Despite this, she denied accusations that they were making money out of the actress and her personal life.
"Hindi lamang po namin matatanggap ni Ogie Diaz at 'yung kanyang kampo sa pagsasabi na ang amin daw pong vlogs ay ginagawa para lamang magkaroon ng mataas na views at pagkakitaan si Bea Alonzo," she said.
She stressed that their respective vlogs were not designed to focus on the local star, but rather to report on both positive and negative stories concerning "public figures."
"Bilang pampublikong pigura po sila ay kami naman po 'yung nagtatawid ng mga balita tungkol sa kanila. Hindi po namin maaaring punahin si Bea Alonzo lamang para kumita ang aming mga vlogs," Fermin explained.
"Mali po 'yun. Lahat ng mga kwento ay inilalatag po namin at depende na lamang 'yan sa pagtanggap ng mga personalidad na aming tinatalakay," she continued.
She went on to emphasize that she used to be one of Alonzo's major supporters, noting how she quickly came to her defense during her past controversies.
"Saksi po kayo, mga kapatid, sa marami at mahabang panahon, na ako po ang unang unang armas—nasa harapan at wala sa likuran—ng pagtatanggol kay Bea Alonzo," Fermin asserted.
"Ako po ang nagbigay ng proteksyon sa kanya, ako po ang nagtanggol, kinalaban ko po ang lahat para lamang mabigyan ko siya ng magandang pagtalakay at opinyon," she added.
Because of this, the entertainment insider couldn't help but wonder if all her efforts to help Alonzo would just go down the drain if she hears one bad publicity about them.
"Sabi namin ni Ogie Diaz, makipagkilala po muna tayo sa salitang 'Maraming salamat po' bago po tayo magreklamo," Fermin stressed.
She went on, "Sana po bigyan natin ng pagpapahalaga 'yung mga taong tunay na nagmamalasakit at nagmamahal, at dapat ay intindihin niyo ang aming propesyon dahil kami po ay tagapagtawid at tagapaglatag ng mga balita."
Fermin reminded Alonzo that she is a public figure and she should expect that her personal life would be talked about.
"Kayo po ay mga isda sa loob ng aquarium. Ang publiko po ay nakatanaw sa inyo. Bawat galaw niyo, bawat ikot niyo, marami pong nakatanaw, wala kayong maaaring ligtasan. Kaya public figures kayo, 'wag masyadong balat-sibuyas," she said.
"Gumawa ka ng maganda, Bea Alonzo, patuloy kitang papalakpakan, patuloy kitang pupurihin, pero kapag ikaw ay nagkakamali at sablay ang iyong ginagawa sa mata ng publiko at sa aming panlasa, ikaw ay aming papaalalahanan at tatapikin," she added.
Fermin ended her statement with a simple "See you in court."
Diaz earlier reacted to Alonzo's cyberlibel raps via his Instagram stories without mentioning any names. "Pero eto ha? Ayoko nang magpakaplastik. Tulad ng lagi naming hinihirit sa Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update, sila pa rin ang gusto naming magkatuluyan sa ending."
GMA News' Nelson Canlas reported on May 2 that Alonzo filed cyberlibel complaints against Diaz, Fermin, and their co-hosts. According to her complaint, she became a victim of “false, malicious, and damaging information.”
Her breakup with Dominic Roque has been a hot topic, including in Diaz and Fermin’s shows.
The former couple confirmed the news in a joint statement, saying how there were people who confirmed their split "without consent" and how others created "ridiculous" stories about it.