Ogie Diaz and his co-hosts have submitted their counter-affidavits in response to the cyberlibel charges filed against them by actress Bea Alonzo. The submission was made before Investigating Prosecutor Edward Seijo. Alongside the counter-affidavits, Diaz’s co-host Mama Loi has filed a counter-charge for perjury with damages against Alonzo, asserting that the Complaint-Affidavit falsely implicated her in defamatory statements.
Lawyer Atty. Regie Tongol, representing Diaz and his co-hosts, criticized the complaint for its lack of specificity. “In our seventy-page counter-affidavit, we called out the complainant for not clearly stating the specific individuals who made the defamatory statements, making it appear it was all Mr. Diaz who made them,” Tongol said.
The charges include statements from a November 19, 2022, episode of “Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update” on YouTube, which Tongol argues falls outside the one-year prescriptive period for cyberlibel. “We are very confident that the charge against our clients would be dismissed,” Tongol stated.
Tongol also highlighted the lack of evidence proving “actual malice” or reckless disregard for the truth, which is required since Alonzo is a public figure. He emphasized that the comments made by Diaz’s co-hosts were based on common observations by netizens regarding Alonzo’s show, “Startup PH.”
Regarding the second count from a February 12, 2024, episode, Tongol defended the statements made about casting practices in the industry, asserting that they were not defamatory. He noted that being offered a role previously turned down by another actress is common in the showbiz industry.
Tongol reiterated the importance of free expression and the press, particularly concerning public figures. “Fair commentaries on matters of public interest are privileged and constitute a valid defense in an action for libel or slander,” he said.
Diaz and his co-hosts are determined to fight the charges, viewing the thirty million pesos in damages sought by Alonzo as unjustified and exorbitant. Tongol also indicated readiness to file further counter-charges against Alonzo for malicious prosecution and damages.
