Cristy Fermin faces NBI over Claudine Barretto complaint
MANILA — Veteran showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin faced the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday in connection to the cyberlibel complaint filed by actress Claudine Barretto.
“May imbitasyon ang NBI para makapagbigay kami ng pahayag. Unang-una, respeto para sa ahensya kaya kami narito,” said Fermin, who was accompanied by her lawyer and co-host Rommel Chika.
“Hindi namin pupuwedeng balewalain ang tulad ng NBI na ginagawa naman ang kanilang makakaya para maiayos at maresolba ang mga kaso,” she added.
She said she would no longer respond to Barretto’s complaint at the NBI and would instead address it once it reaches the prosecutor’s office.
Barretto in October accused Fermin and Chika of making statements on her mental health and personal life, which she claimed damaged her reputation.
Fermin added that after reviewing Barretto’s complaint-affidavit, they agreed to reserve their answers until the case reaches the prosecutor’s office
Asked whether they were denying Barretto’s allegations, Fermin said they would leave it to the prosecutor to determine whether the complaint had sufficient merit.
“Hindi namin masasabing kino-confirm namin, depende na lamang sa piskalya kung makakita sila ng merito para bigyan ng pagpapahalaga yung kanyang reklamo,” Fermin said.
Fermin also reacted to Barretto’s remarks comparing her complaint with previous legal disputes involving Sharon Cuneta and Bea Alonzo.
“Napakalaki ng pangalan ni Sharon Cuneta, huwag natin ikumpara sa kanya. Depende na sa piskalya kung kakikitaan ng merito yung mga reklamo niya,” Fermin said.
She added that her previous issue with Cuneta had been settled after both parties reached an agreement.
“Pero kay Sharon, malaking tao siya. Hindi napakalaking bagay sa amin, sa akin lalo na, pero naayos yung problema na yun—nagkita kami sa gitna at nagkasundo,” Fermin said.
Despite the complaint, Fermin maintained that their online program and showbiz news program SNN would continue operating and that the case would not stop them from working.
She also revealed Barretto frequently calls her.
“Hindi namin siya nakikita pero madalas siyang tumawag kasi sa akin,” Fermin disclosed.