Sam Verzosa files cyber libel case against columnist after NYC Marathon issue
Sam Verzosa is taking legal action against columnist Estrella "Star" Elamparo after she made speculations that he and his girfriend Rhian Ramos cheated during their participation in the New York City Marathon.
Elamparo had written an article titled "Celebrities and cheating at NYCM?" for her column on a broadsheet last Nov. 11. While she did not conclusively accuse Verzosa and Ramos of cheating, she wrote that the "splits of Ramos and Verzosa curiously showed no entries for the 18.6, 20 and 21.7 miles of the race."
"This can only mean that they did not pass through these three mile markers. The next time the tracker spotted them was already at the 24.9-mile marker or just more than a mile before the finish line," Elamparo detailed.
She went on to discuss Verzosa's desire to run for mayor of Manila City in the 2025 midterm elections.
"As a runner myself, this would ordinarily just be a matter of personal interest. But, considering that the two runners involved are celebrities, with one even running for a very important public office, their honesty and integrity are matters of public interest," Elamparo wrote.
"We are very much open to any response from Mr. Verzosa and Ms. Ramos," she added.
Following the article, Verzosa filed a cyber libel complaint against the columnist before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office on Nov. 19, claiming that Elamparo had been trying to taint their reputation by spreading fake news.
"Actually ayoko sana 'tong patulan na, pero kailangan may tumindig laban sa mga ganitong klaseng tao na nagpapakalat ng paninira at mga fake news online," the Frontrow co-founder said in an interview with the media.
"Ang dami pong tumatawag sa akin na mga kaibigan, 'yung iba mga abogado rin, na nagsasabi na notorious nga itong babaeng ito sa pagkakalat ng mga fake news," he added.
Verzosa then mentioned that authorities had already issued a warrant of arrest against Elamparo for a separate cyber libel case filed against her in Cebu City.
"Sabi ko nga, kung kaya niyang gawin sa akin ito at gamitin ang kanyang posisyon, ang kanyang pagiging abogado, ang kanyang column sa dyaryo, kaya niyang gawin ito kahit kanino. So, papaano po yung mga taong walang kalaban-laban?" he questioned.
"Sa'kin, yung kasinungalingan niya sinabi niya, pinaninindigan niya hanggang ngayon eh kahit nagpost na ako ng buong video ng aking pagtakbo. 'Yung hinahanap niyang nawawala daw na markers, pinakita ko na doon. Kahit naglabas na ng email sa'min 'yung New York Marathon organizers, talagang gusto niya panindigan," he continued.
Verzosa further claimed that Elamparo had been turning the tables around to claim that she was the one being victimized.
"Itong kulturang 'to, sana matigil na kasi ang nangyayari, kapag ito kumalat at sinakyan ng iba, minsan nagiging totoo na. Ang hirap na maging ganito ang kultura natin sa Pilipinas na isang accusation lang, kaya na kumalat na maging fake news at mapaniwalaan ng ibang tao," he stressed.
Ramos previously squashed the cheating allegations as she shared an email she received from the marathon's organizer New York Road Runners.
"It looks like both you and Samuel fell behind the sweep and the timing points at 30km, 20 miles and 35km were removed from the course as the streets reopened before you passed through. In Central Park, we can stay open longer, so you were picked up again at 40km," the email read.
The organizers clarified, "We certainly are not holding those timing points against you; you are both still listed as official finishers."
The actress also included a clip of her and Sam reaching the 20-mile marker.
"I can't fathom why someone would try to take that away from us and our cause," Ramos wrote. "Crab mentality is such a common term in this country, but can we Filipinos not be known for that anymore? Can we be known for pushing one another to achieve goals and make dreams come true?"
This year's New York City Marathon took place on Nov. 3 and had more than 55,000 runners.