The former girlfriend of actor Anthony Jennings, Jam Villanueva, may face charges of cyber libel under Republic Act 10175 and data privacy violations under Republic Act 10173. This development follows her controversial release of screenshots of private conversations between Maris Racal and Jennings on the evening of December 3.
The screenshots, allegedly taken from Jennings’ phone, quickly went viral and have continued to circulate online. Villanueva’s actions have drawn significant attention, especially in light of a recent Supreme Court decision on December 3 allowing chat logs and videos to be admissible as evidence in court.
Attorney Joji V. Alonso, legal counsel for ABS-CBN Star Magic, hinted at potential legal actions in a statement issued on the evening of December 4. Without confirming specific plans, the statement strongly suggested that Villanueva’s actions could lead to legal consequences.
“Assuming that all the screenshots are legit, the fact remains that Maris and Anthony have committed NO crime. Their actions may be regarded as morally wrong, but they were never married to their respective partners,” Alonso said in a social media post.
The legal counsel acknowledged the emotional pain Villanueva may have experienced but emphasized that her response violated existing laws. “Jamela, on the other hand, has committed at least two crimes with her actions – cyber libel and violation of data privacy. She cannot hide her actions under the guise of ‘moving on.’ Yes, she may have experienced pain and betrayal, but this does NOT give her the license to violate the law,” the post added.
Alonso’s statement clarified that private conversations are protected under data privacy laws, and publicizing them without consent is a punishable offense. Legal experts have weighed in, agreeing that Villanueva’s decision to make the chats public could serve as strong grounds for legal action against her.
As of December 5, Villanueva or her legal representatives have not confirmed the possible charges. However, netizens continue to debate the situation’s morality and legality, highlighting the fine line between seeking justice and violating privacy.
This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of airing private grievances in public forums, especially when legal boundaries are crossed.
READ: Atty. Joji Alonso’s take regarding the issue between Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, and Jamela Villanueva. pic.twitter.com/QDfA0R0q1O
— Kapamilya On-Demand (@kodupdate) December 5, 2024