Chito Alcid Files Criminal Charges Against Annabelle Rama

Entertainment reporter Chito Alcid has filed multiple criminal cases against talent manager Annabelle Rama, who had controversially assaulted him during the late Comedy King Dolphy's wake last July 13.

According to an article by PEP.ph, Chito has sued Annabelle for attempted murder, grave threat, grave coercion, and slander at the Fiscal’s Office of the Taguig City Hall of Justice on August 23. He was accompanied by his legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, and former actress Azenith Briones, who stands as Chito’s witness.

Chito told PEP.ph that he thought hard about his plan of action, which was why it took him more than a month before he filed his cases. "Kaya umabot ng isang buwan bago ko maisampa, kasi pinag-isipan ko nang mabuti (It took me a month to file it because I really thought things through)," he said.

The showbiz reporter revealed that the incident involving Annabelle had added a lot of stress to his life. According to Atty. Kapunan, Chito had received threatening text messages from Annabelle before and after the incident. "[Chito] has really been concerned about threats because bago kami nag-file dito (before we filed here), Annabelle filed six or seven cases of libel in Cebu. He was concerned that filing a case might just escalate [things]. Ang totoo is, apart from this, there are still text messages na talagang nakakatakot, before and after (the truth is, apart from this, there are still text messages that are really frightening, before and after). So, he had to consider whether it is a crusade that he wants to fight."

Atty. Kapunan revealed that Chito’s decision to file a case versus Annabelle is his way of standing up to media bullies. "This is not only a personal case of Chito. This is a crusade against media bullying."

Chito also believes that he has a chance to win his case.“ I still think that justice will prevail. Hindi pwedeng matatakot ang mga tao. Kailangan ang mga tao, ipaglaban mo ang prinsipyo at katotohanan. At saka kailangan i-stop mo ‘yang media bullying... It has to end permanently. It has to end permanently (I still think that justice will prevail. People shouldn't be afraid. They need to fight for their principles and for the truth. And you really have to stop media bullying. It has to end permanently. It has to end permanently.).”

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)