October 2008 Archives

ABS-CBN suspended Cristy Fermin's contract to host "The Buzz" and her daily dzMM show "Showbiz Mismo" over the allegations she brought out in the Oct. 5 episode of the showbiz-oriented talk show against Nadia Montenegro that the former actress secretly gave birth to a baby girl two years ago. The network said Cristy's statements went beyond the "bounds of decency" as it involved "innocent children" not involved in their continuing word war. ABS-CBN arrived at the decision a day after Nadia filed before the MTRCB a complaint against Cristy, "The Buzz" and ABS-CBN over the charges. She sought an investigation on the matter that would have MTRCB chair Consoliza Laguardia summoning show producers, network executives and Cristy herself to shed light on the matter. But ABS-CBN went ahead to take action against Cristy, first through a memo signed by top executives and the suspension order which takes effect Thursday and will last until December 31. Laguardia said in a text message to the Inquirer that the board is still acting on the complaint despite the suspension. "It will still be heard by the abjudication committee of MTRCB. After all, Fermin's suspension was (the ABS-CBN) network's decision and not (an) MTRCB board decision," Laguardia said. Asked to react on the suspension, Nadia simply told the Inquirer in a text message, "It's just right muna that I keep quiet. Thanks." Nadia said that even as ABS-CBN penalized Fermin, she would still continue to file a libel case against Cristy and "The Buzz" soon. In a separate text message, Nadia said, "Yes, tuloy ang libel (case)." She said her lawyers were gathering evidence to support her case. Here's ABS-CBN's full statement on Cristy's suspension from the office of Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications head: "Ms. Cristy Fermin's contracts for her engagement as host for Channel 2's The Buzz and anchorperson for DZMM's Showbiz Mismo have been suspended with immediate effect and will last until December 31, 2008. The suspension of her contracts with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation was due to Ms. Fermin's violations of certain provisions thereof in relation to her statements during the October 5, 2008 episode of The Buzz. It was deemed that Ms. Fermin did not conduct herself with due regard to social conventions and public morals. Her statements went beyond the bounds of decency as they  involved innocent children who are not party to  their personal dispute. Ms. Fermin's statements violated the highest standards of professionalism and journalistic integrity. The act committed by Ms. Fermin brought her and The Buzz to public disrepute, jeopardizing the name and goodwill of both the show and the network."

Cristy Fermin dropped a bombshell on Nadia Montenegro as part of a protracted word war the past weeks rooted from Gabby Concepcion's decision to seek an end to his talent management contract with Rose Flaminiano. On top of point-by-point responses aired over ABS-CBN's "The Buzz" last Sunday to the 80s teen star's interview on the same show the previous week, Cristy said Nadia had given birth to a child out of wedlock two years ago. "Nagdalang-tao ka na hindi alam ng karelasyon mo, hindi alam ng pamilya mo. Nagpunta ka sa isang ospital na matatagpuan sa pagitan ng Mandaluyong at Pasig. Pumasok ka ng alas-dose ng hatinggabi, inoperahan ka kinaumagahan, nagsilang ka ng sanggol na babae, nagtago ka sa pangalang Nadine Villegas." "Nadia, umuwi ka ng bahay, hindi mo dinala ang sanggol, pinaalagaan mo sa isang kaibigan mong aktres na kilala natin pareho, kilala ng publiko ng ilang buwan. Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan, pinadala mo ang bata sa inyong tahanan ipinakilala mo sa karelasyon mo at sa iyong mga anak bilang ampon mo." Cristy also said she was unfazed about Nadia's own threat about her own bombshell against the TV-host-columnist: "Nadia, ang libro ng buhay ko ay lantad sa publiko. Lahat ng pahina inilalabas ko. Hindi ako ‘yong klase ng tao na namimili lamang ng mga pahinang magaganda para ipabasa sa publiko. Ibalik mo sa akin ‘yong basurang sinasabi mo at tiyak na babalik sa mukha mo." She also said Nadia was lying about her mom being rushed to the hospital in the US because of the comments she made in her tabloid columns. "Tumaas ang BP (blood pressure) ng mommy mo sa Amerika dahil sa kagagawan mo at hindi dahil sa akin. Baka nga hindi mo pa alam, itinatakbo pa lang sa ospital at nagpapa-BP ang mommy mo, alam ko na. Ang pakiusap niya sa iyo: 'Huwag na huwag mong bibirahin ang Nanay Cristy mo dahil hindi natin kayang bayaran ang utang na loob natin sa kanya.' Pero hindi mo siya pinakinggan." For her part, Nadia laughed off Cristy's charges and lunged back: "Napakasinungaling yang Cristy Fermin na yan." In a phone interview with GMA-7's Showbiz Central also on Sunday, Nadia said it would be impossible for her to hide such pregnancy to her family. "Paanong mangyayari na magdadalang-tao ako na hindi alam ng buong pamilya ko? Ang galing ko naman! Does it make sense at all?" Nadia said She said that if it was true, "Why is (my husband Boy Asistio) still with me? Bakit kasama ko pa rin ang asawa ko? Bakit buo pa rin kami? I do not understand kung ano ang balak niyang (Cristy) gawin." Nadia said she was contemplating legal action against Cristy, who is currently facing a separate libel suit filed by Caloocan mayor Rey Malonzo over a tabloid article she wrote that alleged that the actor-politician had threatened the life of businesswoman Cristina Decena.