After Liza Soberano filed a case against a Converge employee who made a rape threat, actress Julia Barretto took legal action against former journalist Jay Sonza who posted fake news about her being pregnant with actor Gerald Anderson’s baby on Facebook.
Julia filed the case together with her mother Marjorie Barreto at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, September 25.
Celebs such as host Bianca Gonzalez showed support for Liza and Julia through social media.
Thank you @lizasoberano and @barrettojulia for being brave and standing up for what you believe in, showing other women that you can fight for your boundaries, and there is a difference between a negative comment and an abusive comment. We stand by you. 🙌🏽
— Bianca Gonzalez Intal (@iamsuperbianca) September 25, 2020
Actress Gabbi Garcia also showed support through her Twitter post.
Go girl. Supporting you all the way 🤍
— Gabbi Garcia ♡ (@gabbi) September 25, 2020
ABS-CBN reporter and news anchor Karen Davila also lauded the actions of Liza and Julia. Davila praised the actresses for standing up for themselves.
After Liza Soberano, Julia Barretto stands up for herself 👊🏼 https://t.co/TnScoEM06h
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) September 25, 2020
John Lapus also showed support by retweeting the news with a clever comment noting Sonza’s fate with this legal action.
Lagot! 💪 https://t.co/B9aUx9qRsb
— John Lapus (@KorekKaJohn) September 25, 2020
Storyteller Kevin Manalo also noted that it was time to stand up against fake news peddlers like Sonza.
Time to stand up to fake news peddlers. Good on you Ms. Julia B! Sana masampolan talaga yan https://t.co/GflsILNgxg
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) September 25, 2020
Blogger Rod Magaru noted that Julia’s legal action against Sonza was the best news of the day.
Julia Barretto filing a case against fake news spreader Jay Sonza is the best news yet today. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/LLUukHx8PR
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) September 25, 2020
News reporter Mike Navallo also noted that justice beat reporters can include that rape threat and pregnancy rumors are not protected by free speech.
If Justice beat reporters were to cover Liza and Julia, alternative headline:
Rape threat, pregnancy rumor not protected free speech: Liza, Julia file raps vs online bashers
(pero ang haba 😅)
— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) September 25, 2020
Host Jules Guiang showed support using emojis.
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) September 25, 2020
Number cruncher Edson Guido also noted that it was good to see Liza and Julia taking a stand for what is right. He also noted this empowers women, and that people should be more responsible when posting in social media.
Good to see @lizasoberano and @barrettojulia take a stand for what is right. Not only did they remind people to be more responsible online, but they also empowered other women to believe that they should be treated with respect. Always.
Celebrities are human beings too.
— Edson C. Guido (@EdsonCGuido) September 25, 2020