‘Bulaga’ host’s wife counters suit, seeks P2M for ‘anguish’

The wife of “Eat Bulaga” cohost Jose Manalo is asking a Quezon City court to award her more than P2 million in damages for what she called a “malicious and oppressive” law suit lodged against her by the show’s production company.

The comedian’s estranged wife, Anna Lyn, also sought the dismissal of the petition for injunction and damages filed by the Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE).

In a 14-page answer with counterclaim before Judge Luis Zenon Maceren of Regional Trial Court Branch 218, she asked to be awarded P2 million in moral and exemplary damages and P100,000 in attorney’s fees.

“Because of the filing of the malicious and oppressive lawsuit that added strain to her marriage, defendant (Anna Lyn) suffered mental anguish, besmirched reputation and serious anxiety and even sleepless nights,” said the pleading prepared by her lawyer, Lowell John Fetizanan.

The pleading was in reply to TAPE’s petition asking the court to stop Anna Lyn from contacting or approaching her husband. The “Eat Bulaga” producer alleged that she had been harassing and harming Manalo since November last year.

TAPE claimed that to allow this to continue would disrupt its daily operations, like “Eat Bulaga’s” live broadcast.

The producer earlier asked the court to award it P100,000 in nominal damages, P250,000 in moral damages and P100,000 in attorney’s fees.

Anna Lyn denied TAPE’s allegations. “Plaintiff, who, instead of sanctioning a supposed inefficient employee, is taking up the cudgels for the latter in order that the erring employee may continue to escape from his marital and filial obligations to (his) aggrieved family,” she said in her pleading.

She alleged that the civil suit was filed after she lodged a case against Manalo for violating Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act) in the San Juan City Prosecutor’s Office.

“Unfortunately, despite the strong allegations of criminal acts against its talents, plaintiff (TAPE) which prides itself in producing a wholesome noontime show, chose to harbor a suspected criminal and further aggravated the situation by filing this complaint which is nothing but a ploy to divert the attention from the real issue— which is the criminal liability of Jose against his family,” Anna Lyn added.