The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 has released arrest warrants against entertainment columnist Cristy Fermin and her co-hosts Rommel Villamor and Wendell Alvarez, following a libel case filed by actress Bea Alonzo in 2024.
In a court order dated July 21, 2025, Presiding Judge Cherry Chiara Hernando determined there was “probable cause” to bring the accused to trial. Bail for each was set at ₱48,000.
The charges arose from allegedly defamatory remarks made by Fermin and her co-hosts on their online program. Alonzo filed the complaint in May 2024, claiming she was the subject of “untrue, harmful, and defamatory” statements. This came shortly after her breakup with actor Dominic Roque—a personal matter that Fermin discussed in her broadcasts.
In addition to the breakup, the actress took issue with accusations aired on Fermin’s show regarding her alleged failure to pay taxes and a supposed labor case involving a former driver. Alonzo’s legal team stressed that the actress was within her rights to pursue criminal charges against those who made what she described as false and damaging public claims.
Fermin, a longtime media personality, stood by her team’s reporting, stating that the stories shared on their show were handled “fairly.” She also responded to the complaint by suggesting that Alonzo should not be overly sensitive or “balat sibuyas,” a Filipino expression describing someone who is easily offended.
Aside from the case involving Fermin and her co-hosts, Alonzo has also initiated separate libel complaints against showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz and an unidentified individual who allegedly impersonated her online to spread false information.
With the issuance of the arrest warrants, the accused are expected to post bail while preparing their legal defenses. The case is poised to move forward, with upcoming proceedings to determine whether it will proceed to a full trial.
This legal dispute highlights the increasing tension between celebrities and digital media personalities, particularly regarding the boundaries between free speech and defamation. The outcome could serve as a significant benchmark for how Philippine courts handle libel in the era of online broadcasting and social media.