Cristy Fermin, Rommel Villamor, and Wendell Alvarez, post bail for Bea Alonzo's cyber libel case

• An arrest warrant was issued against Cristy Fermin and two co-hosts over a cyber libel complaint filed by actress Bea Alonzo

• Nanay Cristy and her co-host Wendell Alvarez have posted bail, set at P48,000 each

• Bea’s legal counsel called the court's action an "initial legal victory," emphasizing that freedom of speech has its limits

• The charges stem from alleged defamatory statements made on Nanay Cristy’s online show in 2024, around the time of Bea’s public breakup

Veteran showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin and her co-hosts Wendell Alvarez and Rommel Villamor have posted bail after an arrest warrant was issued against them in connection with the cyber libel case filed by actress Bea Alonzo.

The development marks a significant turn in the high-profile legal battle that has been ongoing since last year.

According to a report on Friday, July 31, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 issued the warrant on July 21, but it was not officially served to Nanay Cristy and her legal team until July 30.

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The showbiz journalist expressed surprise at the news, stating that she would have voluntarily surrendered had there not been a delay in receiving the court documents.

“I had always surrendered voluntarily without waiting for the issuance of an arrest warrant. This is the first time that we did not receive a court resolution. That is why we were shocked,” she said, according to a local report.

The court set the bail at P48,000 for each of the three individuals. Nanay Cristy and Wendell have already completed the bail process, while Rommel was in the process of doing so.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel for Nanay Cristy and her co-accused, confirmed the posting of bail and stated that the defense team is now preparing for the upcoming trial.

The legal action stems from a complaint filed by Bea Alonzo in May 2024, which also included fellow showbiz talk show host Ogie Diaz and his co-hosts.

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Bea’s complaint affidavit details that she was a victim of "false, malicious, and damaging information" allegedly spread without factual basis on Nanay Cristy 's and Ogie's respective online programs.

The defamatory statements were reportedly made during the period surrounding Bea’s public separation from her former fiancé, actor Dominic Roque.

The complaint further alleges that the hosts and their co-hosts continued to defame Bea through vlogs and columns, even circulating unproven claims about her alleged tax issues.

The premier actress’ lawyer, Atty. Joey Garcia, hailed the court’s decision as a major step forward for his client. In a statement to the media, Garcia said the warrant "vindicates her position and affirms her right to seek redress."

He emphasized that this is the first time in Bea's decades-long career that she has resorted to legal action, having previously "endured all the defamatory and malicious statements against her character... with silence, dignity, and grace."

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While Nanay Cristy and her co-accused are moving forward with their defense, the case against Ogie Diaz and his co-hosts remains on a separate track.

Ogie's camp has filed a counter-affidavit and even a perjury complaint against Nanay Cristy, arguing that some of the claims were filed outside of the one-year prescriptive period for cyber libel.

This legal counter-move highlights the intricate and complex nature of the ongoing legal battle, which has drawn a clear line between the right to free expression and the responsibility to avoid character defamation.

Born on July 23, 1956, Cristy Fermin is among the veteran writers in the world of showbiz and the entertainment industry in the Philippines.

In a related news, Nanay Cristy emotionally thanked Ogie Diaz on Wednesday’s episode of “Cristy Ferminute.” This was after the cyberlibel complaint filed against her by Sharon Cuneta and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan was dismissed. Fermin revealed how Diaz helped in her reconciliation with the couple. “Magiging emosyonal ako,” Fermin said as she talked about the “balato” that Diaz humbly asked from the senator.

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Earlier, she reacted to the conclusion of Sharon Cuneta and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan’s cyberlibel complaint against her. On Wednesday’s episode of “Cristy Ferminute,” Fermin said the complaint got dismissed through a meaningful reconciliation facilitated by their legal teams. Fermin then dubbed Cuneta and the senator “the forgiving couple” following the said development. The veteran showbiz columnist also openly admitted to causing hurt to the couple and emphasized humility and acceptance of faults as a sign of strength.

Source: KAMI.com.gh