MANILA, Philippines - Just when the issue about Dan Christian “Papa Dan” Villanueva’s alleged harassment of Bea Binene was about to subside, another issue has surfaced. This time, the issue focuses on lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who might be sued by Bea’s camp.
According to lawyer Flordeliza Vargas who represents Binene’s camp, Bea’s mom Carina was totally caught by surprise by Topacio’s disclosure to the media that he filed a child abuse case against DJ Papa Dan at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last Sept. 3.
“In fact, there was no consent at all from Bea’s side,” said Vargas.
The lawyer also added, “The family is thinking of filing a suit against Topacio for an administrative complaint of conduct unbecoming of a lawyer.”
Bea’s camp denied that they asked lawyer Topacio to be the family’s legal representative. What they sought from him was just his legal advice when Papa Dan was allegedly harassing Bea last month.
“If ever the family opts to be represented, Bea’s mom assured that they wanted a female lawyer,” said Vargas.
“Obviously, it was in his own initiative to have it filed in CIDG,” added GMA Talent Center’s AVP Simon Ferrer.
What Topacio didn’t know was that both parties from Bea and Papa Dan have amicably settled their issue, said Ferrer.
Bea and Papa Dan are both Kapuso talents. Bea is working for TV and movies while Papa Dan is a disc jockey of Barangay LS 97.1, GMA’s FM radio station.
GMA Network’s VP for Legal Affairs, lawyer Ma. Luz Delfin, stated, “It was brought to the attention of the network three weeks ago. The network and its officers immediately took action. That’s why nagkaroon din ng kasunduan between Dan and Bea’s mom at naayos na ’yun.”
“The case between Bea Binene and Papa Dan is closed now. Papa Dan already said sorry to the Binene family. He left the Binenes house last Aug. 31 so no need to pursue any legal means,” said Ferrer.
According to earlier reports, Papa Dan and Bea met at an event. They became friends, with Papa Dan ending up staying at the Binenes’ house.
Ferrer said that Carina, who allowed Papa Dan to stay overnight at their guesthouse, and not their house as earlier reported, sought out GMA’s help on what to do to make Papa Dan leave after seven months of overstaying.
Now, with Topacio’s involvement, questions have also been raised on his relationship to the Binenes.
Ferrer stated, “I guess you all remember the issue about Yasmien Kurdi and Baron Geisler where Atty. Topacio represented at nandun din si Bea at that time. Topacio then offered his legal help for free and also monetary support when he learned that Bea is putting up her own foundation but Bea and her mom refused his offer, saying, ‘Ay hindi, OK lang yan, hindi namin kailangan.’ Fast-forward to the issue now, Atty. Topacio and GMA were sought out for legal advice by Bea’s family to settle the issue with Papa Dan. So, there was really no client-lawyer relationship or whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, the Kapuso network is also considering of filing a complaint against Topacio for allegedly uttering some damaging statements against them in his interviews.
“We are trying to go over the material of those interviews he’s been giving so that we can also consider what possible legal action the network may take against Topacio,” Delfin said.
For Bea’s part, said Ferrer, “She is doing fine. She’s not bothered about this issue at all. Actually, she’s only concerned about her album, Hey, It’s Me! Bea turning gold. She was so happy about it.”