The legal team of actress-dancer Dawn Chang has released a statement on the supposed "libelous" claims of veteran showbiz scribe Cristy Fermin against their client.
Lawyer Rafael Vicente Calinisan wrote: "The statement of Cristy Fermin against our client, Ms. Dawn Chang, is malicious and libelous. We take note of her statement, and as her lawyers, we are also personally offended by it."
According to him, Fermin used her show "Cristy Ferminute" to disparage their client, going on to quote her as saying: "Napaka-righteous at sikat nitong Dawn Chang. Di ba yan yung dancer? Yan yung dancer? Dancer yan na nasa ano dati. Sa lunchtime show nila. Itong si Dawn Chang, gusto mong ibulgar ko kung ba't ka nagkakaroon ng trabaho? Eh pa bash-bash ka pa. Ikaw ang dapat i-bash dahil wala kang mararating kung hindi ka nakikipaglandian sa mga boss. Naku ha, Dawn Chang, tumigil ka nga. Dawn Chang me."
The lawyer added, "To put things in proper perspective, this quoted statement of Fermin was a malicious, hateful and malevolent response to our client's prior responsible exercise of free speech. Fermin's response was meant to downplay the effect of our client's comment on Ms. Toni Gonzaga's participation in the proclamation rally of a particular act of politicians."
Calinisan deemed Fermin another case of a "reporter/publicist gone rouge."
"To stress, Fermin's statement is an outright lie. It is clear to us that Fermin's statement was meant to besmirch and destroy the reputation of our client. Journalism's obligation, first and foremost, is to the truth. Ms. Fermin, what you have done to our client is truly disrespectful and is plan and simple libelous," he reiterated.
He maintained that even though everyone is entitled to freely express themselves, the same must be done responsibly.
"Fermin's malicious statement is clearly not the proper response to the real issues put to fore: historical revisionism and ingratitude. Simply put, if Fermin wants a proper discourse, she should be responsive and must squarely address the issues raised by our client," he related.
He went on: "If you want to destroy the reputation of our client, you will fail, because truth and principle is on our side. The truth is stronger than people like you. Good will always triumph over evil."
"Our client will never be cowed by cowards like you who resort to character assassination just to perpetuate a wrong. To repeat, our client was merely exercising her right to fairly comment on national issues. But what you have done is to bring the showbiz industry, and the mindfulness of society to the gutter by spreading lies about our client to silence her or damage her. Please take note that nation-building is everyone's responsibility."
He then dared Fermin to name names.
"Pangalanan mo yung mga 'boss ng ABS-CBN' na 'nakipaglandian' sa aming kliyente," he challenged. "Because of your malicious imputations, we assure you, we will send you to jail."
"Kung wala kang kredibilidad, wag kang mandamay. Let us be clear: no one has the right to objectify women and disparage their reputation. Ang mga babae ay nirerespeto at minamahal," he added.
Calinisan also reminded Fermin about accountability.
"Those who provide the news have a responsibility to bring out the news fairly and without color. Journalism's obligation, first and foremost, is to the truth," he said, relating: "What you have done to our client is truly disrespectful and is plain and simple libelous. You should use your platform properly."
On behalf of their client, they are demanding Fermin to retract her libelous statement and issue a public apology to Chang.
They reiterated that said apology should be published in a full-page ad in leading national broadsheets and must also be published in all the latter's shows, if any, and her social media platforms.
They are giving Fermin until midnight of Feb. 16. to take the necessary corrective measures and failure to do so will constrain them to pursue criminal, civil, and even administrative actions against the seasoned journalist.