Entertainment Web site Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) said it is ready to defend itself from the P25-million libel suit filed by actor Richard Gutierrez.
Lawyer Sandy Coronel, PEP's legal counsel, maintained that the entertainment Web site did not violate any law and even the code of ethics of journalists when it uploaded a story on the alleged gun-toting incident involving Gutierrez.
"Siyempre ilalaban namin. Ang posisyon ng PEP ay hindi nag-abuse ang PEP ng kanilang rights at hindi nag-overstep," Coronel told ABS-CBN News. "Matagal na panahon din naman na ang PEP ay in-establish niya ang kanyang reputation so hindi din basta basta itatapon ng PEP 'yon."
The lawyer said "in this instance" PEP had recognized that it made a mistake when it prematurely uploaded the story but she pointed out that an apology has already been made by PEP's editor-in-chief Jo-An Maglipon.
Colonel confirmed that PEP will soon publish an article detailing the whole incident.
"...kapag buo na ang istorya ay ilalabas na din ng PEP para talagang maliwanagan [ang lahat[, kumpletong istorya; kung anuman 'yong magiging resulta ng imbestigasyon ng PEP ay 'yon ang lalabas," the lawyer said.
On Monday afternoon, Gutierrez filed a P25-million libel suit against PEP for allegedly fabricating a story that besmirched his reputation. Gutierrez was accompanied by his family when he lodged his complaint before the Makati Fiscal's Office.
The respondents are Maglipon, managing editor Karen Pagsolingan and writer Ferdinand "Bong" Godinez.
Coronel declined to comment on the specifics of the case, saying PEP's camp has yet to receive a notice of the complaint from the Makati Fiscal's Office.
"Lahat naman ng bagay ay napag-uusapan pero siguro dahil nakasampa na 'yong kaso ay hintayin na lang namin... 'yong notice," Coronel said. "Kung [gaano] kadesidido silang magsampa [ng kaso] ay ganoon din kami kadesididong mag-depensa."

(via)