Nadia Montenegro files libel, harassment complaints over illegal substance allegations

• Nadia Montenegro filed libel and harassment complaints in Caloocan and Pasay after being falsely linked to marijuana use in the Senate
• Her lawyer stressed the OSAA report showed she only had a grape-flavored vape, not marijuana
• Montenegro recounted being harassed by a Senate staff member, who accused her of smelling like marijuana and dragged her by the arm
• The actress resigned from her Senate post, calling the allegations “fake news” that caused trauma and distress to her family

Actress Nadia Montenegro has taken legal action after being falsely linked to alleged marijuana use inside the Senate. On Wednesday, she filed separate complaints before the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court and the Pasay City Hall.

Through her legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham Garduque, Montenegro filed a libel case against two publications for reporting that she was the Senate staff allegedly caught using marijuana inside the chamber’s comfort room.

Garduque clarified that the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) incident report showed she was found only with a grape-flavored vape.

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“It is actually false and very malicious to state that my client was caught using marijuana in the Senate comfort room,” Garduque said.

Montenegro also filed a harassment complaint against a Senate staff member for unjust vexation and violations of the Safe Spaces Act.

She recounted being grabbed by the arm and dragged to a wall, adding that the staff accused her of smelling like marijuana after passing another employee.

“After that, nagulat na lang ako that there was a photo that came out on TV and all over the news that I was apprehended, which is not true. No apprehension happened,” she said.

The actress explained that her camp initially sought to obtain CCTV footage and hold a dialogue with OSAA before pursuing legal remedies.

“We exhausted some legal remedies… since nothing happened, this is the right time to file the cases,”* Garduque noted.

Montenegro, who resigned from her Senate post to avoid dragging others into the controversy, said the issue caused her distress and anxiety.

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Calling the allegations “fake news” and “false news,” she added: “I just want the public to know the truth… now I am stronger.”

Nadia Montenegro has long been known in the showbiz industry as an actress and TV personality. Aside from her career, she is also known for being a hands-on mother and being open to the public about her family life. Recently, she became part of Senator Robin Padilla's team, but her tenure was short-lived due to this controversy. Despite her resignation, Nadia stated that it is not an admission of guilt but a step to protect her mental health and her family's dignity.

Nadia Montenegro was accused of being the staff member allegedly caught smoking an illegal substance in a Senate restroom. The actress vehemently denied the accusation and clarified that she did not use the said restroom. She expressed dismay over why the issue, which should have remained within the Senate, was released to the media. Nadia resigned from the office of Sen. Robin Padilla to take care of her mental health and the welfare of her children.

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It can be recalled that earlier, the actress and staff member was asked to take a leave of absence from Senator Robin Padilla's office amid a drug probe. The Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) report named Montenegro in an incident involving an "unusual scent" believed to be a prohibited substance. While she denied smoking a prohibited substance, Montenegro reportedly acknowledged having a vape that could have caused the smell. The incident has led to renewed calls for mandatory and random drug testing for all Senate employees.

Source: KAMI.com.gh