Former actress retaliates with new raps vs talent manager

MANILA, Philippines—Just a few days after filing charges of attempted kidnapping against Nadia Montenegro, talent manager Annabelle Rama is facing new charges from the former actress, who alleged that Rama had tried to harm her during a formal proceeding at the Quezon City prosecutors office.

In a new complaint filed late Thursday afternoon, Rama was charged with grave oral defamation, slander by deed, attempted physical injuries and unjust vexation.

Montenegro, in her three-page affidavit, said the incident happened Dec. 10 during a preliminary investigation conducted by state prosecutor Liezel Aquiatan-Morales, who is in charge of the child abuse raps against Rama.

Montenegro said the talent manager even hurled invectives at her in front of the investigating prosecutor.

At that time, Morales was conducting the preliminary investigation of the child abuse, oral defamation and libel complaint Montenegro had filed against Rama in connection with the show biz careers of Montenegro’s teenaged daughters.

During the Dec. 10 hearing, Montenegro was accompanied by her daughters and their lawyer, Marie Glen Abraham, while Rama was with her lawyer, Derrick Delegencia.

In the affidavit, Montenegro claimed that while Morales was asking her about the contents of her complaint, Gutierrez allegedly suddenly shouted: “Magbayad ka utang mo! Wala kang utang? Kadiri ka. (Pay back what you owe! You don’t have a debt? You’re gross)!”

The fiscal tried to stop the talent manager but Rama allegedly continued her tirade and even stood up, shouting at the complainant and her two daughters using foul language.

The talent manager also allegedly walked toward the other party and said, “Kapal ng mukha mo! Sapukin ko to! (You’re thick-faced! I’m going to hit this person)!” while raising her right hand as if poised to hit someone.

This prompted Morales to order Delegencia to bring Rama out of the room as the talent manager was already agitated.

As Rama was walking out of the room, she allegedly followed Montenegro’s daughters and pointed her finger at them, shouting, “‘Wag ka umiyak! (Dont cry!) Tell the truth! Tell the truth!”

According to Montenegro, Rama kept on shouting offensive words until she reached the ground floor of the Quezon City Hall of Justice and was heard by court personnel and other people.

“The defamatory and offensive words, which were shown on national television and were posted at different social networks and websites, were publicly uttered by the respondent imputing against me and my person several defects as well as the accusation that I have committed several acts and circumstances are highly libelous, offensive and felonious in character because the same is derogatory to my good name and reputation.”

The new complaint adds to a string of cases that Montenegro filed against Rama, including oral defamation, falsification of documents, libel, and child abuse in relation to Montenegro’s teenage daughters who were pursuing showbiz careers under Rama’s watch.

On Tuesday, Rama struck back with attempted kidnapping raps against Montenegro, whom she accused of allegedly trying to kidnap her from her office at the Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City.