Veteran entertainment columnist Cristy Fermin said she is ready to post bail and face in court the libel charges filed against her by actress Bea Alonzo.
This comes after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 issued a warrant of arrest against Fermin and her ‘Cristy FerMinute’ co-hosts, Rommel Villamor and Wendell Alvarez. Each was ordered to post bail amounting to ₱48,000.
In an interview with Bandera on Wednesday, July 30, Fermin said she was unaware of the arrest warrant until it was reported in the news. Neither she nor her legal counsel had received official notice from the court at that time.
“Wala kaming alam. Sinabi ko ngayon kay Rommel na may warrant kami at babayaran. Alam mo naman ‘yun hindi sanay, sila ni Wendell. Ako lang ang sanay na,” Fermin remarked, noting that she’s the only one among the three used to these kinds of legal issues.
Speaking on ‘Frontline sa Umaga’, Fermin reiterated her intent to settle the bail on Thursday, July 31, and brushed off the development as part of the hazards of her job.
“Libel is part of what we do,” she said.
Alonzo filed the libel case in May 2024, accusing Fermin and her co-hosts of spreading “false, malicious, and damaging information” through their online program. The complaint stemmed from allegations made on-air, including issues supposedly involving Bea’s tax records and a labor dispute with a former driver—both of which the actress has denied.
Bea’s legal counsel previously stated, “Iginiit ni [Bea] ang kanyang karapatan na magpatuloy sa pagsasampa ng mga kasong kriminal na ito laban sa mga indibidwal na responsable sa paggawa ng lahat ng mga nakakapinsalang pahayag laban sa kanya.”
As of writing, Fermin has not made a public apology, but confirmed that she and her legal team will comply with all necessary court procedures.
