Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar sues actress for libel
What seemed like a simple misunderstanding between GMA Network and its talent Sarah Lahbati continued to escalate this week as network executive and lawyer Annette Gozon-Abrogar sued the young actress for libel on Thursday.

GMA Network through its corporate communications office stated, “Atty. Annette Gozon Abrogar has filed a criminal case for libel vs. Sarah Labhati this afternoon with the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati. Instead of trial by publicity, the case will now be brought to the proper forum. Once the case is filed, the subjudice rule applies and parties who continue to talk about the issue in public can be held in contempt of court.”

The move from the Abrogar, GMA Films president and daughter of GMA Chief Executive Officer Felipe Gozon, came after Lahbati took to the social networking site Twitter for an expose, which she described as “the complete truth.”

Lahbati accused Abrogar of allowing and protecting “under the table deals” to co-manage artists between GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) and separate entity ICONS Management.

“I was offered by the daughter of the network owner to join a company that does under the table deals in GMA and subtract 40 percent from my salary. THERE IS UNFAIR TREATMENT WITH NON-ICONS ARTIST LIKE ME,” Lahbati erupted on Twitter on Monday.

Lahbati posted a series of tweets revealing Abrogar’s attempt to sign her under ICONS. She said she and her family declined the offer since a 40 percent deduction from her salary was “too steep.”

Believing it is common practice to be co-managed, Lahbati instead signed a co-management contract with Royal Era Entertainment, which is owned and ran by feisty showbiz personality Annabelle Rama, who also happens to be the mother of her boyfriend Richard Gutierrez.

According to Lahbati, GMA asked her to cancel her contract with Royal Era as it was a clear violation of their existing contract. She then announced, also on Twitter, that she would take a one-month leave from work to study in Switzerland.

On Tuesday night, her Twitter post asked Abrogar, “Why can’t you give a statement about your involvement in ICONS Management Company dealing with GMA? We have all the paperworks and proof.”

Lahbati also raised another issue and said, “I should be the one filing a case against GMA Artist Center, I finished filming two movies and didn’t get paid, I still have collectible cheques from guesting in different shows and out of town shows since 2010 that are UNPAID.”

GMA responds
In GMA’s latest statement sent on Thursday, the network maintained that Lahbati violated her contract: “Sarah Lahbati’s Artist Management Contract with GMA Network is effective until February 21, 2015. There is no provision for leave of absence in said contract. Any leave is subject to prior agreement between the Network and Sarah.

“Further, her declared trip to Switzerland for an indefinite period, without the prior consent and approval of the Network, will be an additional violation of her contract.”

Addressing Lahbati’s accusations against Abrogar, “Regarding the issue of the supposed referral by some network executives to ICONS Management, the network reiterates its earlier statement that it did not authorize the co-management contract with ICONS Management. Concrete actions have been taken and penalties have been imposed on the executives who were found liable.

“If Sarah can prove later her accusation against ICONS and GMAAC, the network will not only stop dealing with ICONS but will also penalize those who are guilty of such anomaly,” the statement added.

Finally, regarding Lahbati’s alleged unpaid salaries, the statement continued, “It was made clear to Sarah at the onset that her talent fee will be disbursed after she completes filming. The contract was sent to her in mid-October but she was on vacation and the signed contract was returned to GMA Films only on December 14, 2012.”

The network added that the delay in the actress’ payment could only be attributed to her for failing to immediately “return the signed contract to GMA Films.”

In closing, GMA stated, “The network has endorsed the matter to Belo, Gozon, Elma, Parel, Asuncion and Lucila (BGE Law) for the filing of a complaint against Sarah so that the court may determine who between the parties is correct, telling the truth or lying.”

As of press time, Lahbati has been unreachable, with reports saying she had left for Switzerland on Wednesday night.