Ogie Diaz, along with his ‘Showbiz Update Live’ co-hosts Loi Villarama and Wrena Lualhati, submitted their counter-affidavits on Tuesday in response to Bea Alonzo’s cyberlibel complaint.
The filing took place before investigating prosecutor Edward Seijo, with their legal counsel led by Atty. Regie Tongol.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News after the submission, Atty. Tongol highlighted several key points from their counter-affidavit.
“Prescribed na ‘yung posting na nilagay nila sa complaint affidavit nila. November 2022 pa, one year lang kasi ang prescriptive period ng cyberlibel,” Tongol explained. “Ang pangalawa naming sinabi namin doon na wala namang sinabi ‘yung client namin na si Ogie Diaz at ‘yung mga co-hosts, o kung may sinabi man ‘yung mga co-hosts niya, ito ay nakapaloob pa rin sa fair comment doctrine na pinprotektahan ng ating Korte Suprema about matters of public interest katulad na lang ng buhay at trabahong ginagawa ng complainant.”
Tongol also noted that they filed an affirmative defense of improper venue. “We filed an affirmative defense of improper venue. Alam naman natin na since 2022, sinabi na ni Bea na she’s a legal resident ng Spain. Kaya naman kung sasabihin niya na siya’y legal resident na ng Spain, then hindi na siya sa Quezon City actually nagre-reside,” Tongol said.
Consequently, Villarama has counter-charged Alonzo with perjury. “Dahil sinabi niya yun, nag-file din si Loi Villarama ng counter charge na perjury, kasi obvious na obivous na nagsisinungaling siya sa kanyang complaint affidavit na sinabi niya na dito siya naka-reside sa Quezon City,” Tongol added.
WATCH: Here at QC RTC, Ogie Diaz files counter affidavit on the cyberlibel complaint filed by Bea Alonzo against him. pic.twitter.com/OfVomngNu3
— MJ Felipe (@mjfelipe) June 18, 2024
Bea Alonzo and her legal team are expected to submit their reply-affidavit within the next two weeks.
