Kiko Pangilinan, Sharon Cuneta settle cyberlibel case vs Cristy Fermin

Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta (left), showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin. Photo from Pangilinan’s Instagram account and screenshot from video on Fermin’s YouTube channel

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, have dropped their cyberlibel complaint against entertainment columnist Cristy Fermin after reaching an out-of-court settlement, the senator’s office said Tuesday.

In a statement, Pangilinan’s office, citing the senator’s lawyer, said the parties reached a settlement through a “mediation procedure,” which was affirmed before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148.

“We also manifested that due to the settlement, we are permanently desisting from pursuing the case,” lawyer Maria Fricela Kim was quoted in the statement.

“Since the prosecution cannot proceed without the cooperation of the private complainants, Judge ruled that the case is dismissed for lack of evidence and Fermin is found not guilty,” Kim added.

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Pangilinan welcomed the case’s dismissal, adding, “We’re happy we can finally move forward from this case.”

Talent manager and celebrity interviewer Ogie Diaz also took to Facebook to share the development in a post that included a photo of Pangilinan, Cuneta and Fermin.

“Matapos humingi ng public apology si Ate Cristy Fermin sa kanyang YouTube channel, heto’t nagkita na sila [nina Pangilinan at Cuneta] sa korte kanina para iurong ang kaso,” Diaz wrote.

In May 2024, the couple filed a cyberlibel complaint against Fermin over remarks that the columnist made in her online show.

In October, Fermin was indicted for five counts of libel filed against her. She posted bail as the cases were brought to the regional trial court.