GMA-7 exec seeks new arrest warrant vs actress

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of GMA-7 president Annette Gozon-Abrogar sought the issuance of a new arrest warrant against actress Sarah Lahbati after she allegedly left the country without the prior permission of the Makati City court, where she is facing a libel case.

In a motion filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 59, Abrogar also asked the court to cancel and forfeit the P10,000 bail earlier posted by the actress.

The motion cited the Section 23 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, which said that “an accused released on bail may be re-arrested without the necessity of a warrant if he attempts to depart from the Philippines without permission of the court where the case is pending.”

The camp of Abrogar claimed that Lahbati again left the country for Los Angeles on July 16, or four days after she posted the recommended bail in exchange for her temporary freedom.

They said the actress left without the necessary court permission as cited in the Rules of Court.

In a text message to The STAR, Lahbati’s lawyer Marie Glen Abraham said they will oppose the motion as they believe it was “premature and lacks any basis.”

“It is only after Sarah fails to attend in her arraignment on Aug. 22 that a warrant of arrest and forfeiture of cash bond may be ordered by the court,” Abraham said.

The libel case stemmed from Lahbati’s tweets earlier this year tagging Abrogar in a supposed under-the-table deal.

Lahbati returned to the Philippines earlier this month and posted the bail recommended for the libel case.

The actress also filed perjury charges against Abrogar before the Makati City prosecutor’s office, as well as grave coercion charges against the GMA-7 executive and five others for allegedly compelling her to sign a co-management contract against a talent management company “through the means of threats and intimidation.”

Meanwhile, an P8.5-million breach of contract case was also filed by GMA-7 against Lahbati for her alleged â€œfailure and refusal to comply with her obligations and undertakings under the management contract she had signed up with GMA-7 and appearances in her program assignments despite notice and advice.”

Abraham earlier said that her client will attend the hearings of the cases that she filed and those that were filed against her.