Claudine Barretto mulls legal action vs Cristy Fermin over ‘damaging’ remarks

Claudine Barretto’s camp issued a cease-and-desist letter to showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin and her co-host Romel Chika over her alleged “untruthful, scandalous, and damaging” remarks about the actress’ mental health and recent hospitalization.

During Fermin’s “Showbiz Now Na” vlog on Oct. 17, she and Romel talked about the actress, citing Claudine’s recent social media posts showing herself at the hospital.

“Si Claudine Barretto mismo ang naglabas sa kanyang IG na nasa hospital siya… pero walang sinabi kung anong dahilan ng kanyang confinement,” Fermin said, then echoed apparent netizen comments saying, “Bakit? Ano nanaman ito? Panibago ba ito para mapag-usapan lang?”

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“Tapos after one day, lumabas ‘yung sa braso, so maraming nagsabi na nagpaliit lang, nagpa-lipo ng braso,” she continued, also reading a message from an unnamed individual who supposedly advised Barretto to “refrain from posting about [her] sickness.”

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Fermin further noted, “Sabagay, aminado naman siya na bipolar siya… na anytime, meron ‘yung pagsumpong.”

“Alam ko kasi ‘pag naoospital si Claudine, si Gretchen ang sumasagot. Pero panghabang panahon ba si Gretchen ang sasagot ng kanyang hospitalization?” Fermin added, referring to the eldest among the Barretto sisters.

Claudine belied Fermin’s statements through her Facebook page on Sunday, Oct 18.

“I was diagnosed with PTSD, battered wife syndrome and anxiety attacks. Hindi po ako bipolar at may pera po ako,” the actress stressed. “Ni piso walang binayaran ang Ate Gretchen ko. Never akong umasa sa Ate ko. Siya mismo nagsabi na never siya nagbigay ng tulong o pera sa akin.”

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“Get your facts right!” Claudine said.

In a succeeding post, Claudine outright mentioned the columnist and said, “Cristy Fermin. LAWYER UP!”

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She also shared the cease and desist letter from her legal counsel addressed to Fermin, which reads:

“Dear Ms. Fermin and Mr. Villamor, we write on behalf of our client Claudine Barretto and in relation to the above-captioned subject matter. A recent video in your YouTube profile was uploaded regarding our client with remarks that are untruthful, scandalous, and damaging to our client’s reputation.

“In this regard, we strongly emphasize that under existing laws and regulations, your acts enumerated above expose you to possible criminal and civil liabilities for damages, among other violations. Please be aware that our client is willing and ready to institute proceedings to protect her and her rights and will not hesitate to pursue all legal remedies which are available to her, should it become necessary.

“Accordingly, on our client’s behalf, we hereby make a formal and final notice of demand that you CEASE AND DESIST from further harassing our client, and making untruthful, scandalous, and damaging remarks regarding her.

“Failure to comply with our valid and lawful demands may subject you to liabilities which may or may not be presently available under the circumstances.

“This demand is without waiver of any further grounds which you may have committed in violation of existing laws and regulations, and without prejudice to any rights our client may have under contract or law, against you.

“Please consider this demand final beyond the ambit of any reconsideration. We trust that you will give this matter immediate and preferential attention to avoid costly and burdensome litigation. For your immediate compliance.”

In a separate statement to “Kalurks” host DJ JhaiHo, Claudine said she is set to file a cyber libel complaint against Fermin before the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Fermin addressed this in a statement to Bandera, saying, “Wow! Big words! Ipakukulong daw niya ako? Siguruhin niyang may merito ang kasong isasampa niya sa piskalya pa lang!”

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“Jusko, ano ba? Nakakahiyang kaso ito! Gawin niya at makikita niya ang AYAW niyang makita!” she was quoted as saying. /edv