Bea Alonzo forgives Cristy Fermin and her co-hosts, settles cyberlibel case

After nearly two years of legal proceedings, actress Bea Alonzo settled her cyber libel case against TV personality  and talk show host Cristinelli “Cristy” Fermin, and her co-hosts Rommel Villamor and Wendell Alvarez through mediation.

The case, initially filed in May 2024, stemmed from statements made on Fermin and Ogie Diaz’s online programs that Alonzo said were false and damaging to her reputation. 

According to the 38-year-old actress and businesswoman, these claims had no factual basis and were discussed publicly without verification.

The academic research website EBSCO, cyberlibel online defamation is the act of posting false and harmful statements about someone on the Internet, often anonymously.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued arrest warrants for Fermin, Villamor, and Alvarez in July 2025. They later posted bail of ₱48,000 each.

Both parties eventually engaged for mediation, allowing Alonzo to express her concerns and the hosts to explain their intentions.

 Fermin emphasized that their commentary was never meant to harm Alonzo.  She explained, “Pinaliwanag po namin sa kanya na kahit kailan wala po kaming ninais na siya’y saktan, siya ay sirain o wasakin. Walang wala po. Ang sabi namin, ang aming trabaho po ay ganito, nagbibigay kami ng opinion, ng mga komento. 

"Kakambal na po ng aming trabaho, ang ganoon na pagbibigay ng komento sa mga artista. Pero maraming maraming salamat po dahil sumulong kami, sinalubong kami ni Ms. Bea Alonzo,” Fermin added.

Wendell Alvarez and Rommel Villamor echoed Fermin’s statements, and thanked Alonzo's legal team, Atty. Jose Manolo Garcia and Atty. Paul Elauria, for their professionalism throughout the process.

As part of the settlement, Fermin, Wendell, and Rommel issued a formal public apology. They declared, “We are issuing this heartfelt and sincere apology to Ms. Bea Alonzo and her family for the harm caused by our statements and postings about her on our social media platforms. We deeply regret the unintended and unfortunate consequences of our actions, including the public persecution that Ms. Alonzo has endured.

"It was never our intention to defame, offend, or harm Ms. Alonzo in any way. We realize now that our words might have fallen short of the respect and fairness that everyone deserves, especially someone who has dedicated her life to her craft and her audience.”

In the February 11 episode of their YouTube show Showbiz Now Na, Fermin and his co-hosts shared the news with viewers, expressing gratitude to Bea Alonzo for her forgiveness and for closing the case.

Alonzo’s legal counsel Atty. Jose Manolo Garcia of Garcia Elauria Ruanto and Associates (GERA), explained Alonzo's choice to settle the case amicably. “Ms. Alonzo has chosen to forgive. Not out of weakness but out of strength. Not to erase what was done, but to free herself from a cycle of harm & hostility that no longer serves her life or her purpose.”

Atty. Garcia stated that Bea Alonzo has decided to resolve the matter through mediation. He said, “It is within this context that I share the perspective that led our client, Ms. Bea Alonzo, to consider resolving this matter through mediation.

“This decision is neither an act of retreat nor concession. Rather, it is an act of resolve, anchored in forgiveness. She views this chapter not as something to carry forward but as something to close, with grace, dignity and peace,” Garcia concluded.