MANILA, Philippines - Kapamilya singer Erik Santos and Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. founder and president Erikson Raymundo have taken legal actions against showbiz reporter Jobert Sucaldito after the latter allegedly damaged the reputation of the complainants.
Santos and Raymundo filed a libel suit and several legal complaints against Sucaldito before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, March 30.
Through a series of blind items in several Facebook posts, Sucaldito reportedly called Santos gay and accused of him of freeloading and having sexual relationships with male singers and masseurs.
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Pep.ph |
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Pep.ph |
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Pep.ph |
"Okay, for the sake of argument, halimbawa may si Erik nga iyon, sino ang mas nakakakilala sa kaniya-kayo ba o kami? Singe nga- mga panatiko niyang baliw-balian lang. Kilala niyo ba talaga siya? Alam niyo ba talaga ang tunay na ugali niya? Kilala niyo kung sino mga nakaka-date niya? Kilalala niyo ba kung sino ang mga common friends namin? Alam niyo ba kung saan siya nagsti-check in madalas for free?” Sucaldito wrote on Facebook.
In Sucaldito’s latter posts, he explicitly name-dropped the singer.
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Pep.ph |
Sucaldito also launched a personal attack against Raymundo, whom he accused robbing other artists of projects.
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Pep.ph |
According to Santos, Sucaldito’s accusations caused him mental anguish, serious anxiety, sleepless nights, besmirched reputation, wounded feelings and social humiliation."
"Attacking my sexuality is a clear insult and harmful to my person and career. He also repeatedly attacked my character, labelling me a traitor and one who mooches on other people,” Santos said in his affidavit.
Meanwhile, Raymundo claimed that Sucaldito smeared the reputation of his talent agency, which handles the career of Santos.
Sucaldito currently faces complaints that totaled to 43 counts of cyber libel, 12 counts of grave threats, 2 counts of libel and 1 count of slander. Santos is seeking P10 million for moral damages and P2 million for exemplary damages from Sucaldito.
Sucaldito has recently released an official statement on his Facebook Page and is set to file his counter affidavit any time soon.
--Mini, The Summit Express
