Gabby's camp to file P10M libel case vs Sucaldito

Author: ABS-CBNNews.com
Column: Entertainment

The camp of actor Gabby Concepcion will file a P10 million libel and defamation suit against entertainment columnist and broadcaster Jobert Socaldito.

Concepcion's lawyer Jose Flaminiano (who is also the husband of the actor's manager) has called Sucaldito's suit "frivolous". He added that Sucaldito has no proof that he is authorized to represent the skin whitening product's manufacturer and to secure an endorsement from Concepcion.

Flaminiano said he will file a libel and defamation case against Sucaldito, whom he claims described Concepcion and his wife as "mukhang pera (greedy for money)".
Sucaldito had earlier filed a breach of contract suit against Concepcion and his manager Rose Flaminiano. The broadcaster claims that the two agreed to a deal for the actor to endorse a brand of skin whitening product.

Sucaldito said Concepcion agreed to endorse the skin whitening product for a talent fee of P2 million. The columnist said that his agreement with Concepcion, while verbal, was practically a done deal and all that remained was the formal signing of the contract.

Sucaldito later learned however that the actor had already signed up as an endorser for a competing brand of skin whitener.

In a civil lawsuit filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Sucaldito is demanding P2.8 million in damages from Concepcion and Flaminiano for backing out of the project. He said he had scheduled the contract signing for April 24 when he found out that Concepcion had already signed an endorsement deal with a competing product.

"I felt betrayed. A lot has been said, has been written about in interviews and it's like they're blaming me for what happened," he said.

Concepcion on the other hand said that he felt disappointed over Sucaldito's lawsuit, saying since they are both working for ABS-CBN, they could have settled the case without getting the courts involved.

"Hindi ba dapat magmahalan ang magkapamilya (Shouldn't members of one family love each other)?" asked Concepcion, alluding to the network's "Kapamilya" tag.

With his lawyer taking care of the civil case, Concepcion continues to focus on reviving his acting career. His first ever comeback role on TV will be on the drama special "Maala-ala Mo Kaya" hosted by Charo Santos-Concio. The episode airs Friday night at 10 pm.

Source: ABS-CBN News