“I BELIEVE you are smart enough to see clearly the whole situation.”
Ito ang mensahe ng pahayagang Bulgar kay 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray matapos matanggap ang demand letter mula sa kampo ng dalaga.
Humihingi ng P10 million in damages at public apology si Catriona at ang talent management nito dahil sa paglalabas ng fake nude photo ng beauty queen.
Sa isang official statement, ipinahatid ng entertainment editor ng tabloid na si Janice Navida ang sagot nila sa demand letter ng kampo ni Catriona sa tungkol sa inirereklamong artikulo.
“It’s really unfortunate and I feel so sorry that we came to this point when we could have talked nicely,” simulang pahayag sa statement.
“I want you to know that we truly honor and acknowledge all your hard work and effort to build that name and to deserve that most prestigious crown.
“I personally believe that you’re truly an amazing pride of our country and that’s why we look up to you with highest respect and that we also care for your image.”
Nag-ugat ang issue sa trending posts sa social media ng ex-boyfriend ni Catriona na si Clint Bondad na sinundan nga ng paglabas ng umano’y topless photo na dalaga.
“The first thing that got into our mind if of course, is this true or fake? Of course, you got our sympathy without asking for it [because] as I’ve said, women should be respected at all times.
“And this is evident in the articles being published in our newspaper and online platform, Bulgar, for consecutive days from the time the controversy involving you and Mr. Bondad started.
“Our intention is to inform the readers, not just you and your camp, that someone, or maybe a group of people, is doing this, spreading the obscene photo through online to destroy your name.
“Kung sakaling totoo ito at hindi edited lang, ‘di na namin papangalanan pero tiyak na may ideya na ang ibang tao kung sino ang maaaring nasa likod ng paglalabas nito.
“I hope too that you may see our intention to help you in clearing your name to the whole universe that the nude photo circulating online is fake and edited only, that’s why when we learned about your clarification on the matter, we quickly posted your camp’s statement on our Facebook page and website to enlighten everybody about that controversial photo.
“And we also would want to reiterate that even when we decided to publish in print and uploaded the said photo in our FB page, we did our part to protect you-because you deserve that – by not releasing the original photo sent to us, instead we blurred the private part because our intention is not to those the readers that ‘eliciting to the mind’ portion but just to inform everyone that there’s someone or maybe a group of people that want to destroy you,” ayon pa sa statement.
Dagdag pa ng Bulgar editor, “I understand how you felt when this news came out, It’s a natural reaction of a person being destroyed helplessly, especially you’re holding the most prestigious title.
“But please consider to understand that we are here not to be your enemy but to help you clear your name [because] we know the feeling that you are being talked about behind your back and have no way to defend yourself.
“I believe you are smart enough to see clearly the whole situation. And you can understand our side as a media entity.”
“Thank you so much for your most precious time and for giving us the opportunity to be heard. I hope we can have the chance to meet in person in the future.”
Wala pang sagot ang kampo ni Cat sa statement ng Bulgar habang sinusulat ang balitang ito.