ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
Advocates Philippines
Ogie Diaz Files Counter-Affidavit Against Bea Alonzo, Claims Charges Lack Merit
Photo credit: Regie Tongol
In a significant development in the legal battle between media personalities Ogie Diaz and Bea Alonzo, Diaz, through his legal team, filed a detailed 70-page Counter-Affidavit today before Investigating Prosecutor Edward Seijo.
Alongside this filing, Diaz’s co-host Mama Loi has lodged a counter-charge of perjury with damages against Alonzo, alleging that her Complaint-Affidavit falsely accused Loi of making defamatory statements.
Alonzo’s original complaint cited two instances of alleged cyberlibel by Diaz and his co-hosts on the “Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update” YouTube channel. The complaint included a November 19, 2022 episode, which Diaz’s counsel argues falls outside the one-year prescriptive period for cyberlibel, thus invalidating that count. They assert confidence that this charge will be dismissed.
The second instance involved an episode from February 12, 2024, where comments were made regarding Alonzo's role acceptance practices compared to other actresses like Marian Rivera-Dantes. Diaz’s team maintains that these comments were not defamatory but were instead typical industry observations, further arguing that such commentary falls under "fair comment" protected by law, especially given Alonzo's status as a public figure.
Diaz’s Counter-Affidavit challenges Alonzo’s failure to specify the exact individuals responsible for the allegedly defamatory statements in her 16-page Complaint-Affidavit, suggesting an overgeneralization against Diaz. The defense underscores the absence of clear evidence showing "actual malice," a critical element needed to sustain libel charges against public figures.
Moreover, the defense highlights that Alonzo, being a public personality, is subject to public scrutiny and fair comment regarding her professional activities. They argue that the comments made on the show were based on widely held public perceptions and discussions about her work in the series “Startup PH.”
The response from Diaz’s legal team frames Alonzo’s demand for P30 million in damages as exorbitant and a tactic to intimidate and suppress free expression and press freedom. They express readiness to pursue further countercharges against Alonzo for what they describe as malicious prosecution and damages, indicating a robust defense strategy moving forward.
Diaz’s legal representative emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression and press against what they perceive as unjustified legal actions by public figures. The defense pledges to contest the charges with determination, asserting the legitimacy and truthfulness of the comments made on their platform.
Alongside this filing, Diaz’s co-host Mama Loi has lodged a counter-charge of perjury with damages against Alonzo, alleging that her Complaint-Affidavit falsely accused Loi of making defamatory statements.
Alonzo’s original complaint cited two instances of alleged cyberlibel by Diaz and his co-hosts on the “Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update” YouTube channel. The complaint included a November 19, 2022 episode, which Diaz’s counsel argues falls outside the one-year prescriptive period for cyberlibel, thus invalidating that count. They assert confidence that this charge will be dismissed.
The second instance involved an episode from February 12, 2024, where comments were made regarding Alonzo's role acceptance practices compared to other actresses like Marian Rivera-Dantes. Diaz’s team maintains that these comments were not defamatory but were instead typical industry observations, further arguing that such commentary falls under "fair comment" protected by law, especially given Alonzo's status as a public figure.
Diaz’s Counter-Affidavit challenges Alonzo’s failure to specify the exact individuals responsible for the allegedly defamatory statements in her 16-page Complaint-Affidavit, suggesting an overgeneralization against Diaz. The defense underscores the absence of clear evidence showing "actual malice," a critical element needed to sustain libel charges against public figures.
Moreover, the defense highlights that Alonzo, being a public personality, is subject to public scrutiny and fair comment regarding her professional activities. They argue that the comments made on the show were based on widely held public perceptions and discussions about her work in the series “Startup PH.”
The response from Diaz’s legal team frames Alonzo’s demand for P30 million in damages as exorbitant and a tactic to intimidate and suppress free expression and press freedom. They express readiness to pursue further countercharges against Alonzo for what they describe as malicious prosecution and damages, indicating a robust defense strategy moving forward.
Diaz’s legal representative emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression and press against what they perceive as unjustified legal actions by public figures. The defense pledges to contest the charges with determination, asserting the legitimacy and truthfulness of the comments made on their platform.
Jun 19, 2024
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