Actor Richard Gutierrez, PEP execs settle libel raps

MANILA, Feb. 9 – Movie and television actor Richard Gutierrez and Jo-Ann Maglipon, the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) website, on Tuesday settled libel charges amicably before Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera.

Gutierrez filed the libel charges against Maglipon following the posting in the PEP website on March 29, 2009 on the alleged involvement of the actor in a dispute with fellow actor Michael Flores in a birthday party of director Mark Reyes.

Maglipon, PEP managing editor Karen Pagsolingan and PEP reporter Ferdinand Godinez, personally offered their apologies to Gutierrez for their mistakes when they published the said news article.

In turn, Gutierrez, together with his parents Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, accepted the apologies of the three PEP executives.

This paved the way for the amicable settlement of the libel charges and the posting of the public apology to the website of PEP.

"The Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) hereby reiterates that Mr. Richard Gutierrez was never involved in any 'heated altercation' or 'tutukan ng baril' with Michael Flores or with any other individual on March 29, 2009 during the party of Zorro director Mark Reyes, contrary to an article briefly uploaded on its website on the same day," the apologies on the PEP website stated.

"PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon, managing editor Karen Pagsolingan and staffwriter Bong Godinez acknowledge their error; repeat their assurance that they have no malicious agenda against Mr. Gutierrez; and apologize for the publication of the article and their failure to get his side of the story and for the hurt it has caused him and his family," the apologies further stated.

Earlier, the Department of Justice recommended the filing of the libel charges against Maglipon, Pagsolingan and Godinez due to the publication of the news article against Gutierrez. (PNA) RMA/PTR

Similar Posts:

• Publisher, editor-in-chief post bail for libel raps filed by former Speaker Nograles
• Nograles loses two libel cases vs Davao writer, publisher
• Richard Gutierrez now 'off the hook' on death of personal aide
• NBI nabs rapist of restaurant employee
• Secretary Limcaoco joins PNA staff members at PNA’s 37th anniversary