Liza Diño files cyber libel complaint against Pep.ph

Actress and former Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Liza Diño Seguerra lodged a cyber libel complaint against the entertainment website Pep.ph at the Quezon City Prosecutors Office on May 24, alleging that its editorial team had disseminated "multiple malicious articles" about her over the past year. These articles purported that she exhibited overly assertive behavior in her role, made irregular decisions, and hindered her successor's assumption of office, among others.

In a statement released late Friday afternoon, Diño, a weekly columnist for The Sunday Times Magazine, expressed the grave distress caused by unyielding attacks on her character.

"In May of last year, I was ambushed as malicious article after malicious article was released attacking everything about who I am -- my accomplishments, my leadership, my very person. Hiding behind anonymous sources and twisted facts, these articles didn't seek to inform, but to damage and destroy me," it read.

The former FDCP Chairperson disclosed that her decision to file the complaint was a result of deliberate consideration, spanning nearly a year of extensive deliberations with her spouse, Ice Seguerra, and her family regarding the course of action to pursue.

"Matagal kong pinagisipan ito.... this decision is difficult to make," Diño Seguerra pointed out.

"The entertainment industry revolves around public opinion and by doing something like this, people might judge me all over again. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko pa kaya nanahimik na ako. Pero ito ba yung tama? Why am I allowing their false narrative to be the truth when I know my truth. I know THE truth," she further explained.

("I thought about this for a long time... this decision is difficult to make," Diño Seguerra pointed out.

"The entertainment industry revolves around public opinion, and by doing something like this, people might judge me all over again. I didn't know if I could handle it, so I kept quiet. But is this the right thing to do? Why am I allowing their false narrative to be the truth when I know my truth. I know THE truth," she further explained.)

Dino's suit includes 78 counts of cyber libel across four separate complaints, targeting both Pep.ph and the individuals involved in she describes as "an attempt to tarnish my reputation by manipulating public opinion."

"There must be accountability," she stated firmly.

"I have decided to fight back and reclaim my name and reputation through a system that is impartial to their great power and influence. I refuse to engage in trial by publicity and in fighting dirty. Instead, I place my trust in the justice system and its proper channels," she added.

Ending her statement, Diño asserted that irrespective of the outcome, she would find solace in the knowledge that she had advocated for herself and insisted on accountability.

"My story continues. I have so much to look forward to and so many people in my life that I cherish, and for that, I am thankful. So thank you to everyone who supported me and believed in me all this time," she concluded.

In 2023, Pep.ph released a series of online special reports labeled "#FDCPISSUE" and "#FDCPScandal," alleging that Diño Seguerra was implicated in a number of instances of questionable management during her tenure as the head of the FDCP, as per thier sources within the industry.

The seires of special reports carried the following titles:

#FDCPISSUE NO.1: Insiders troubled by ex-chair Liza Dino's "sole control" of millions for filmfests, events, grants

#FDCPISSUE NO.2: Liza Diño reprimanded by Tito Sotto for messing with rules and regulations

#FDCPISSUE: Liza Diño "surprised" by probe on her chairmanship; says expenses go through check and balance

#FDCPISSUE NO.4: Liza Diño accused of giving favors to partner Ice Seguerra; Ice earns from FDCP projects close to P1M

#FDCPISSUE NO.5: Did Liza Diño attempt to delay Tirso Cruz III's takeover of chairmanship?

Cruz had already assumed his post as head of the country's national film agency for just under a year by then. His appointment came through on July 5, 2023, and he officially took office on July 25, according to the FDCP's records. However, in March of this year, the actor resigned from his post and has since been replaced as FDCP Chair by filmmaker Joey Reyes in April.

This is a continuing story as The Manila Times currently awaiting a response from Pep.ph.