Talent Manager Annabelle Rama has pleaded not guilty to the 14 counts of libel lodged against her by actress Nadia Montenegro.

According to an article by Inquirer.net, Annabelle was arraigned on Monday, June 25, before Judge Eleuterio Bathan of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92. She pleaded not guilty on all 14 counts, one for each charge filed against her by Nadia, who is determined to pursue each of the cases she filed. The court decreed that the two women should go into mediation to try to resolve things between them before they would have to go to trial.

“I am not open to any mediation, I am not open to any settlement, I am not open to anyone who will try to fix us,” Nadia was quoted as saying. “We want her (Annabelle) to learn her lesson the hard way.”

Annabelle was sued because of the allegedly malicious remarks she released over Twitter and in TV interviews. A warrant of arrest was ordered for Annabelle for her absence during the reading of charges against her on June 11. She surrendered voluntarily a week later.

Nadia also sued Annabelle earlier for child abuse, citing the latter’s alleged maltreatment of Nadia’s daughters Alyanna and Annika Asistio, who are both Annabelle’s wards. However, this charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence.

(photo courtesy of PEP.ph)