Cristy Fermin Faces Cyber Libel Complaint from Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Pangilinan
CYBER LIBEL – Sharon Cuneta and her husband, former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, have filed cyber libel charges against Cristy Fermin. The charges, filed at the Makati City Prosecutors Office on Friday, stem from Fermin’s “baseless and malicious statements” about the couple’s personal and family life.
The legal complaint details multiple instances of the alleged offenses, occurring on specific dates throughout 2023 and early 2024. In their legal team’s statement, the couple’s lawyers emphasized that Fermin’s actions are not protected under free speech, stating that her “slanderous statements” have legal consequences. They highlighted that despite their public status, Cuneta and Pangilinan retain the same rights to privacy and protection from defamation as private citizens.
The statement further mentioned that the couple had previously remained silent, but Fermin’s ongoing derogatory remarks online about their family compelled them to take legal action to hold her accountable.
Additionally, the couple has been in the spotlight due to rumors of marital issues, though they acknowledge having disagreements which they have since resolved.
This legal action comes shortly after actress Bea Alonzo also filed cyber libel charges against Fermin and another showbiz personality, Ogie Diaz, concerning their respective shows. Despite the legal challenges, Fermin maintained on her show that while they respect the right to file cases, it will not curb her freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, Cristy Fermin is a prominent Filipino talk show host and entertainment journalist. She began her career as a political journalist but soon shifted her focus to covering the entertainment sector, particularly movie stars and other celebrities. She made her television debut in 1987 as the main host of “Movie Magazine” on GMA Network. In 1992, she moved to ABS-CBN to host “Showbiz Lingo,” and by 1995, she was hosting her own daily talk show, “Cristy Per Minute,” which cemented her reputation as the “Queen of Intrigues.”
