Cristy Fermin on Sharon Cuneta, Kiko Pangilinan's cyberlibel charges: 'You don’t shoot the messenger'
Showbiz insider Cristy Fermin reacted to the cyberlibel charges filed against her by couple Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Pangilinan, stressing that she is merely relaying information to the public as an entertainment reporter.
Following similar complaints by actress Bea Alonzo and Sarah Lahbati's mother Esther in recent months, the talk show host explained on her Cristy Ferminute program that she understands where these personalities are coming from.
"Pataas nang pataas ang mga level ha. Talagang tumataas ang mga level ng mga demandahan ah, from Sarah Lahbati to Bea Alonzo, Sharon Cuneta na ang kasunod. Sino kaya ang susunod, si Julia Roberts na?" she began.
"Basta naiintindihan namin kung saan sila nagmumula, naiintindihan natin kung saan sila nanggagaling," Fermin said.
She explained that she still couldn't delve more into the issue since she has not yet received a copy of the complaint.
Fermin told her family that they should not be embarrassed by the cyberlibel complaints filed against her as such incidents "come with the territory" as an insider.
"Sabi ko nga sa mga anak ko, 'Mahiya kayo kapag ako ay dinemanda sa pagnanakaw, mahiya kayo kapag ako ay dinemanda at kinasuhan tungkol sa human trafficking, kapag ako ay nagbugaw at kung anu-ano pa,'" she said.
She continued, "'Yun ang dapat natin ikahiya pero 'yung ganito, cyberlibel kasama po ito sa territoryo ng pagiging mamamahayag natin."
Despite this, Fermin urged celebrities to understand her job, stressing, "You don't shoot the messenger."
She also requested her followers not to get angry at Cuneta and Pangilinan for filing a case.
"Tanggalin po natin sa ating isip 'yung galit, 'yung hatred. Kasama po talaga 'yan sa laban. Basta ang mahalaga, alam natin kung ano ang katotohanan," Fermin emphasized.
According to GMA News' Nelson Canlas, Cuneta and Pangilinan are suing Fermin for "broadcasting baseless and malicious statements regarding their personal and family affairs."
While it's unclear what issue the case stemmed from, the filing came after Fermin recently talked about how Cuneta and her daughter KC Concepcion's on-and-off relationship was due to the latter misplacing a valuable possession by the Megastar.
A week ago, Alonzo also took legal action for cyberlibel against Fermin and fellow showbiz insider Ogie Diaz, with the complaint stating that the actress became a victim of "false, malicious, and damaging information." Lahbati's mother. meanwhile, filed a lawsuit against her in March for undisclosed reasons.
