Atty. Virgilio Batalla the legal counsel of former Bikini Philippines contestant Roxanne Cabañero urged those who are not involved in the case to refrain or stop meddling. Atty. Batalla is referring to journalist Tony Calvento, who was responsible of publishing a copy of affidavit of his client Roxanne Cabañero on his Facebook account.
“He should not meddle in this case. He is not the counsel of Vhong, he’s not the counsel of my client. He’s not even the prosecutor. Calvento should stop. This is not a public affair. This is private to my client and to Vhong,” Batalla said.
In addition to that, Batalla told ABS-CBN News that Vhong Navarro is misleading the public by inculcating to their minds that the incident that involve her clients Roxanne Cabañero as victim happened on the 24th of April 2010 where they can established a good alibi, Atty. Batalla said.
“We know very well that Vhong is a celebrity and as a lawyer or anybody, you just click on Google to find out where is Vhong on the 24th. That is on the record. Why will we accuse him on the 24th if we know that he is there with everybody who can testify?” he said.
However, Cabañero said that she was violated by Tony Calvento by putting her personal complaint affidavit on Facebook in which the 24-year-old former beauty contestant believed that it was out of respect.
“Gusto ko ng hustiya. Sa mga sinasabi ng tao, sa lahat ng masasakit na salita na binibitawan nila, sa ginawa ni Mr. Calvento, putting my personal complaint affidavit on Facebook is out of respect. Binastos niya ako,” Cabañero said.
On the other hand, Tony Calvento in his side believed that he is not irresponsible journalist and he also believed that there was nothing wrong with publishing Cabañero’s affidavit online.
“Ako’y napasok sa kasong ito dahil lumapit ang isang mutual friend. We met, Atty. Mallonga, then Atty Dennis Manalo was with the team and Chito Rono. Humingi sila ng assistance. Kasama iyan sa aking trabaho. I’ve been doing that for over two decades,” he said.
“Si Atty. Batalla, ngayon ko lang narinig ang pangalan na iyan. Sino siya para sabihing tumigil ako? Kay Roxanne, I am not an irresponsible print and broadcast journalist. Saan ang binastos ko sa affidavit niya? When pinublish ko ang kanyang affidavit, which is a public document, after she had sworn, nilagay ko pa nga doon ay name withheld, I withheld her name. Kapag rape victim ang pinag-uusapan, hindi mo binabanggit ang pangalan. Hindi mo nga pinapakita ang mukha. Pero sino ba ang lumabas at nagpa-interview?” he said.
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