Sam Verzosa took legal action against a columnist
Tuktok To Win Party-list Representative Sam Verzosa filed a cyber libel complaint against a columnist who released the cheating allegations against him and his girlfriend actress Rhian Ramos.
The cheating allegations against the couple came after they competed at the New York City Marathon in New York City, USA on November 3. Sam and Rhian shared their triumph in that marathon on their social media pages.
Many netizens and celebrities congratulated and expressed happiness for them for what they achieved. However, allegations surfaced that they cheated and they did not actually finish the marathon fairly.
Rhian Ramos broke her silence on the cheating rumors. She shared a video showing that they ran at the 20-mile mark. She also included an email from the organizers of the marathon that they finished it.
After that clarification from the actress, based on the article in PEP, Sam Verzosa formally filed a complaint against Daily Tribune columnist Atty. Star Elamparo, who wrote the article with the title “Celebrities and Cheating at NYCM?” in her column Runner’s High.
Sam said that he did not want to indulge himself in this matter but he pointed out that there were people who were spreading defamation and fake news. He shared that many people contacted him about this issue.
The businessman-politician also shared that even before he filed the cyber libel complaint against Elamparo, the columnist already had a warrant of arrest for the same complaint which was filed in Cebu City.
“Sabi ko nga, kung kaya niyang gawin sa akin ito at gamitin niya ang kanyang posisyon, ang pagiging abogado, ang pagkakaroon niya ng column sa diyaryo, kaya niyang gawin ito kahit kanino,” he pointed out.
Sam added that people who have no means to fight will just fall victim to this kind of defamation. However, reportedly Elemparo stood by what she wrote in her column.
The congressman said that even though they presented evidence, including the email from the marathon organizers, the columnist still did not believe them. He also said that now, Elemparo plays the victim card.
Sam Verzosa shared that even though Rhian Ramos is not showing that she is affected by the negative write-up about them, he knows that his girlfriend is worried by this, as well, as their families.