Kris files P80-M libel suit vs GMA-7

TV talk show host and actress Kris Aquino filed a P80-million libel suit against five top executives of GMA Channel 7 for allegedly spreading derogatory statements against her.

Aquino named as respondents Felipe Gozon, chairman/president/chief executive officer of the GMA Network Center; Gilberto Duavit Jr., executive vice president and chief operating officer; Alfonso Raquel Jr., officer-in-charge for corporate communication; Wilma Galvante, vice president (TV entertainment); and Teresa Defensor, program publicity manager.

In a seven-page complaint affidavit, Aquino, a resident of Makati City, said a malicious e-mail was circulated among entertainment columnists that allegedly maligned her reputation.

She hinted that the attack against her was meant to boost the ratings of a rival show aired over Channel 7. "I believe in fair competition... pero nasira ang reputation ko dahil lang sa ratings."

The complainant added: "Liberty of speech does not give immunity to defamatory imputations."

The e-mail allegedly portrayed her as a woman of loose morals because she contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which she admitted at the height of her controversial break-up with then Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez.

"I do not deny that I admitted having contracted STD. However, my admission does not give respondents the unbridled authority to debase my name in public," she said.

Meanwhile, GMA-7 said it has never been its company policy to engage in acts as imputed by Aquino and at the same time apologized to her.

"It was done without our knowledge, much less our consent. The network has determined that the material was sent by the network manager on her own," a company statement said. "We apologize to Ms. Kris Aquino for whatever inconvenience the item may have caused her."