Actress, beauty queens eye libel, perjury raps vs driver
MANILA - Barangay Urdaneta in Makati City has confirmed that beauty queen Michelle Dee filed a blotter report against a driver on January 18 at around 5:00 a.m., alleging physical harm and theft.
In the blotter, Dee alleged that the driver “physically harmed me on my right arm that left bruises and scratches and nail marks,” following an alleged theft incident inside her condominium unit involving actress Rhian Ramos.
Barangay desk officer Reynan Garcia said Dee personally appeared at the barangay and showed visible injuries.
“May pasa siya dito, pinakita niya sa’kin. Sinaktan daw siya,” Garcia said.
Dee further claimed that the driver attempted to flee by jumping from the maid’s quarters of her 39th-floor condominium unit, climbing down using a gondola rope, passing through another unit, and eventually reaching the street before being caught and brought back.
Meanwhile, the driver has filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Dee, Ramos, and another beauty queen, accusing them of mauling and illegal detention.
The driver alleged he was beaten and threatened, saying, “Bigla akong hinawakan at binugbog sa loob… narinig ko na tatapusin nila ako kaya tumalon ako sa 39th floor.”
However, Dee’s legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Garduque, disputed the allegations, noting that records show Dee was in Iloilo on January 17 and only returned early morning of January 18.
She added that on January 19, the driver was already at the Makati City Police Station for inquest proceedings and underwent medical examination prior to detention.
“No signs of said mauling was seen during his medical examination,” she said.
Garduqe also pointed out inconsistencies between the driver’s claims and his reported injuries.
“His allegations do not match the injuries he showed to the media… these parts of the body were clean as shown in his interviews,” she added.
Michelle Dee yet to decide on joining MGI All Stars: 'I don't have an answer for it yet'
Regarding the qualified theft complaint, Garduque clarified that its dismissal was procedural.
“The basis of the dismissal is not because there is no basis for it but because it was recommended to be filed under regular preliminary investigation proceedings,” she said.
Given the allegations made publicly, Dee and Ramos are now considering legal action.
“Since extreme damage has already been done to the reputation of our clients, we reserve the right to file criminal cases for libel and perjury,” Garduque said.