MANILA, Philippines – Comedy writer Chito Francisco has already taken responsibility for the mistake he made with stand-up comedian Alex Calleja.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Chito Francisco, Instagram/Alex Calleja |
It was recently discussed about Chito's Facebook post regarding a Pinoy stand-up comedian who allegedly used his “carwash” joke.
“Nanood ako ng Netflix special ng isang pinoy stand up comedian. Ginamit yung isang joke ko. Well, marami pa ako niyan brod. Madami ka pa puwede nakawin,” he said on his Facebook post.
Chito even provided proof to support his claim that he originally came up with the joke. However, Alex refuted this and also presented evidence showing that he was the first to come up with it way back 2011, based on his previous social media posts.
"Post ko lang dito ang carwash joke ko since 2011 na nagawa ko ng writer ako sa 'Usapang Lalake' at 'Goin' Bulilit.' Sa 'Goin' Bulilit' kasi, may topic ang bawat gags at carwash ang topic namin. Hindi ata ito nasama sa final draft kaya ginamit ko sa stand-up at pinost sa social media ng 2011. Check niyo po ang screenshots. Sorry po wala pa ako masyado followers niyan," Alex wrote.
"Lagi ko ito jino-joke kaya naging paborito ng isang writer din na si Raymond Dimayuga. Nagpapa-salamat ako sa pag-acknowledge niya sa akin ng 2015 at 2016. Search niyo po sa FB (Facebook), 'Alex Calleja' at 'carwash,'" he added.
Post ko lang dito ang carwash joke ko since 2011 na nagawa ko ng writer ako sa Usapang Lalake at Goin' Bulilit. Sa Goin...
Posted by Alex Calleja on Tuesday, February 11, 2025
On Thursday, February 13, Alex shared a post showing his meet-up with his lawyer-cousin Atty. Howard Calleja regarding a “cyber libel case.” He also shared his photo with Atty. Lorna Kapunan, who is also part of “Face To Face: Harapan” on TV5.
“I have a friend... and a lawyer cousin!" Alex said on his Facebook post.
"Meeting with Atty. Howard Calleja, Senior Managing Partner of Calleja Law. He will be handling my cyber libel case."
“Magpapa-carwash na rin kami after. Walking distance lang eh,” he added, making fun about the issue.
On Saturday, February 15, Chito posted his official public apology and statement for Alex. He said that he deeply regrets making the accusation, which caused harm to Alex.
“I know Alex as a gentle soul, and by making those statements, it was wrong of me to put him in a bad light with false and baseless allegations. Worse, these comments went viral on social media, which led the public to insult him and question his integrity as a writer,” Chito said.
He added, “I was careless and negligent in saying that, and did not realize the extent of the hurt and damage that I caused against Alex, nor the impact that it had on both his personal and professional life.”
He appealed to bloggers and netizens to delete the screenshot of his post and stop sharing it.
“What I said was wrong, and I would like to minimize the extent of the damage already suffered by Alex caused by my negligence to the best that I can,” he said.
Alex shared his public apology and said that he accepted it.
“Apology accepted. Now let's move on! Salamat Atty. Howie Calleja and Atty. Lorna Kapunan,” Alex said.
Apology accepted. Now let's move on! Salamat Atty. Howie Calleja and Atty. Lorna Kapunan 🙏 Tamang Panahon is still Number 1 on Netflix! #BeBetterNotBitter #TamangPanahon #AlexCalleja #Carwash
Posted by Alex Calleja on Friday, February 14, 2025
Atty. Howard Calleja also acknowledged the apology, but has stern warning to the public about libelous posting.
“In light of the foregoing, our client, through Calleja Law Office, reminds the public that making, airing, and publishing defamatory statements about our client constitutes cyberlibel, and is punishable under the Cybercrime Act," he said.
In addition, "Let this be a stern WARNING that Alex Calleja, through Calleja Law Office, will not hesitate to ensure that any future acts tantamount to cyberlibel made in reference to our client will be dealt with accordingly, which include criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
