Showbiz personality Cristy Fermin appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Pasay City on Monday morning, November 9, together with her Showbiz Now Na! co-host Rommel “Rommel Chika” Villamor and their legal counsel, Atty. Shirley Tabangcura.
The two were summoned by the agency following the cyberlibel complaint filed against them by actress Claudine Barretto.
Barretto personally went to the NBI Cybercrime Division on October 21 to file her complaint against Fermin and Villamor before NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
The actress accused Fermin of making damaging remarks about her on her YouTube program, particularly for allegedly calling her “bipolar.”
In a previous interview with members of the media, Barretto said Fermin had allegedly been making remarks against her since last year, describing the latest incident as the final straw.
She also expressed concern over the emotional impact of the issue on her children, saying that they, along with her supporters, were deeply hurt by the statements.
For her part, Fermin explained in an interview with Cabinet Files that they decided to comply with the NBI’s summons out of respect for the agency.
Fermin said they did not submit a counter-affidavit during their appearance and would wait for the matter to proceed to the prosecutor’s office, where a formal complaint may be filed.
She also clarified that they did not get the chance to meet NBI Director Matibag during their visit.
Asked if she had any message for Barretto amid the ongoing controversy, Fermin responded with a brief, “Merry Christmas!”
