Sharon's petition vs Bandera editors junked

The Supreme Court (SC) reinstated the ruling of a Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) that dismissed the libel case filed by singer-actress Sharon Cuneta against the editor and associate editor of tabloid newspaper, Bandera.

In a 19-page decision by the 3rd Division penned by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta released to the media on Thursday, the high court reversed the Court of Appeals (CA) in giving the green light for the lower court to push through with the trial of Lito Bautista and Jimmy Alcantara.

The high court ruled that the actress “took a procedural misstep, and the view she is advancing is erroneous” because it should have been the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), not her, who should have appealed the lower court's decision. The high court said the petition before the appellate court should have been dismissed on this basis alone.

“[I]n criminal cases, the acquittal of the accused or the dismissal of the case against him can only be appealed by the Solicitor-General, acting on behalf of the State…The capability of the private complainant to question such dismissal or acquittal is limited only to the civil aspect of the case.

“Respondent [Cuneta] lacked the personality or legal standing to question the trial court’s order because it is only the OSG who can bring actions on behalf of the State in criminal proceedings, before the Supreme Court and CA," the decision read.

The high court pointed out that the petition filed before the appellate court questioned the criminal aspect of the RTC order, not its civil aspect.

Cuneta sued Bautista, Alcantara and writer Pete Ampoloquio for an article written by Ampoloquio for Bandera in 2001. Cuneta alleged that the article maligned her reputation by claiming that she had treated a supporter of her husband, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, badly.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Regine Velasquez Now Reluctant To Don 'Sexy' Outfits

MANILA, Philippines – Motherhood has changed singer-actress Regine Velasquez.

When before she was more than too ready to show off her curves by wearing “revealing” clothes, this time, she would often opt for a far more conservative look during public appearances.

According to Velasquez, she feels rather discomfited wearing “sexy” outfits nowadays.

“The thought that I am now a mother, parang awkward na rin, e,” said she in a recent interview with online news site, PEP.

More than that, having gained weight during her pregnancy has made Velasquez very much mindful of her silhouette.

"I love dressing up, gustung-gusto ko yung nagdadamit ako. Pero kailangan ko talagang magpapayat,” she explained.

"Baka kung mag-sexy ako na mga outfits, baka maumay naman yung mga tao sa katawan ko.”

That said, Velasquez is looking forward to have another baby next year. But not that she is too hopeful about it.

"Bahala na. Kung bibigyan ni Lord, she said. "Si Nate nga, hindi namin ini-expect, e."

If there is anything that makes Velasquez happy about her new-found voluptuousness, it is that of her breasts becoming bigger than usual.

"Size 50! Cup D!" said she in jest before admitting, "Hindi, mga 45, cup D siya.”

She noted as well that her hair became thicker.

In the same interview, Velasquez also shared her two cents relating to her husband, Ogie Alcasid’s growing interest in politics.

Velasquez says she is hoping that he’d rather not broaden his sights on that field although, in the end she says, she’d rather let Alcasid decide on the matter.

"That's not our world. It's different from ours. But if he really wants... kasi meron siyang purpose, e. If he really wants, definitely, I'll support him," Velasquez said.

She belies suggestions that entering politics is the only way to help people.

“It's not true," she insisted. "You can help people without being a politician.”

source: mb.com.ph