Actress, manager face libel for Instagram post
Neri Naig – Miranda (Inquirer photo)
ACTRESS Neri Naig Miranda and an employee of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic will face trial at a Cebu City court after they were accused of falsely accusing two persons on Instagram.
The Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office found sufficient grounds to indict Miranda and Star Magic road manager Danilyn Nunga for libel in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Bail was recommended at P10,000 for each of the two accused.
Miranda and Nunga allegedly posted on Instagram the photo of Clarence Taguiam and Donna Marie Go whom they branded as bogus and fictitious sellers of a Go Pro Hero3 Action Camera last April 30.
The photo was accompanied by a description from Nunga who claimed to have paid in full P7,500 for the camera she reportedly bought from Go. The same remark was reposted by Miranda in her Instagram account.
Taguiam and Go learned about the alleged defamatory remark and decided to pursue a criminal complaint against Miranda and Nunga. Go denied having ever sold a camera and dealt with the two accused.
Through her lawyer, Go sent a letter to the two women and asked them to remove the alleged defamatory post, to clarify the matter, and to issue a public apology.
The letter was sent to ABS-CBN Corp. at Sgt. Esguerra Avenue corner Mother Ignacia St in Quezon City since Miranda and Nunga were connected to the network.
In response to the letter Miranda, the wife of Parokya ni Edgar lead vocalist Chito Miranda, immediately removed her post on Instagram.
Nunga also removed the alleged defamatory post against Go and Taguiam but it reportedly took some time.
Taguiam said the two accused did not issue any statement to clear their names nor make a public apology.
Cebu City Asst. Prosecutor Ruso Zaragoza gave Miranda and Nunga an opportunity to submit their counter-affidavits and refute the allegations. However, the two failed to submit any controverting evidence.
While the subject post was not vulgar, Zaragoza said it still insinuates or imputes a fraudulent transaction allegedly committed by Taguiam and Go.
Miranda joined ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Quest—a reality show to find new actors and actresses in 2004.
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