MANILA — Dominic Roque denied allegations linking certain politicians in his breakup with actress Bea Alonzo, as he called out entertainment reporter Cristy Fermin for making "malicious defamatory innuendos" against the actor. 

Fermin, in her vlog, alleged that a politician is involved in the celebrity breakup.

"We strongly condemn the malicious and defamatory public statements of Ms. Fermin. These defamatory statements were made by Ms. Fermin under the guise of entertainment news without any effort from her to confirm the same from Mr. Dominic Roque," Roque's camp said in a statement released by Fernandez & Singson Law Offices on Tuesday. 

"In her vlog, Ms. Fermin made malicious defamatory innuendos. These innuendoes alluded that Mr. Dominic Roque has a benefactor who is a politician and that this politician is the owner of the condominium unit where he currently resides. The messaging of the innuendos were clear and unambiguous," they added.

"In fact, the malicious and baseless innuendos were quickly picked up by social media netizens, several of whom even uploaded a photo of Dapitan City Mayor Bullet Jalosjos, without his knowledge and consent. There is absolutely no truth to these malicious innuendos. Mr. Dominic Roque is a longtime friend of Mayor Bullet Jalosjos and is leasing the unit owned by Mayor Jalosjos," his camp said.

"He is embarrassed and apologizes to Mayor Bullet Jalosjos and his family for being dragged into the public conversation because of the malicious defamatory public innuendos of Ms. Fermin," they added.

Roque's lawyers also noted that in a separate vlog, Fermin made a "malicious defamatory statement" that former Congressman Bong Suntay is "one of the suspected benefactors" of Roque. 

"By making such a statement, Ms. Fermin made the innuendo that unreasonably casts doubt on the sexuality of former Congressman Bong Suntay," the statement said. 

"Again, Mr. Roque would like to apologize to former Congressman Bong Suntay and his family for the embarrassment caused by the deplorable innuendos made by Ms. Fermin. Furthermore, Mr. Dominic Roque does not own a Clean Fuel gas station; in fact, all Clean Fuel gas stations are company-owned." 

The actor's camp noted that the allegations have crossed the line and damaged the integrity of the said parties.

"While Mr. Roque acknowledges that as celebrities, a segment of his life is open to public discussion for being matters of general interests; specifically, entertainment news. However, mainstream media and independent vloggers alike are not given unbridled license in exercising free speech or freedom of the press," Roque's camp said.

"We have laws that exist to protect the integrity and honor of individuals against public, malicious, and defamatory statements. Ms. Fermin acted outside the bounds of protected free speech and intentionally caused damage to the integrity and honor of the affected individuals," they added.

Roque's camp also denied rumors that he and Alonzo broke up because they couldn't agree on a prenuptial agreement. 

"Finally, to set the record straight, Mr. Dominic Roque and Ms. Bea Alonzo never fought nor had a disagreement over a pre-nuptial agreement," it said. 

"Reckless statements relating to the alleged disagreement over a pre-nuptial agreement between them are, not only unverified, but merely based on speculations intended to produce a negative image on the parties concerned," they added.

Meanwhile, both Suntay and Jalosjos have also denied allegations linking them to Roque and Alonzo's breakup.

"Magbabarkada talaga kami. Nag-umpisa 'yan sa pagmo-motor, nagkakarera kami sa Clark. From there, naging good, good friends kami, we started doing, ang dami, mga businesses. Nagtutulungan kami kaya nakapagtataka na umabot sa ganito na even ang genders namin ang pinagkakaguluhan na ngayon ng marami at nagtatanong kung lalaki ba talaga kami?" Jalosjos said in Jay Ruiz's YouTube channel.

"Nakakatawa lang 'yung issue. Actually, pinagtatawanan na nga namin but it's a bit time also to clarify 'yung totoo lang, 'yung gusto nating i-clarify para malaman din," he added. 

Suntay echoed that their group, which includes other celebrities Dingdong Dantes, Richard Gutierrez, Kim Atienza, among others, was formed because of their interest in motorsports. 

"Matatagal na kaming magbabarkada. It started with similar passion for riding motorsiklo, cars, at masasaya kaming magkakasama, in fact, 'yung passion na 'yung led to the formation of a group 'yung tinatawag naming Euromonkeys," Suntay said.

"We both share similar tastes, similar passion, and love for riding motorcycles throughout that years lagi kaming magkakasama at alam mo sa magbabarkadahan, andiyan din 'yung pagnanais mo na diyan din kayo magtutulungan. In fact itong isyu na nadamay 'yung pangalan ni Mayor Bullet at pangalan ko ay dahil sa pagnanais namin na matulungan 'yung mga kaibigan namin," he added.

Jalosjos admitted that the condo unit is his but noted that Roque is renting it. 

"'Yung totoo, akin talaga 'yun, I've had it for quite some time, congressman pa lang ako, pre-selling pa nga, nakuha ko 'yan. Dalawa 'yan eh, ginawa ko siyang AirBnb but because of the pandemic, pinagbawalan kaming i-open for AirBnb," the politician also said in Ruiz's vlog.

"Siyempre, as a friend, barkada, si Dom, asked me if I want it to have it rented, eh hindi ko naman ginagamit. I stay in Dapitan City now and I live in Alabang so siyempre ipapa-rent natin sa barkada natin for a good price. Natawa nga ako bakit tumalon 'yung issue from business to binahay na eh," he added.

"Ang usapan namin ni Dom, 50 percent lang provided na aayusin niya. Inayos niya lahat 'yung pinakita niya sa video totoo 'yun, inayos niya from the ground up ...He's already staying there for almost three years, matagal na rin ... pinapabayad ko sa kanya, hindi ko pinapahiram. Hindi ko siya binahay ah."

Suntay stressed that his photos with Roque are for his involvement as his fuel company's brand ambassador. 

"It's very easy naman to find the truth kung talagang itong mga sinasabi nating mga batikang mga reporter kung gusto nilang malaman kung ano 'yung totoo, madaling-madaling malaman naman eh. Kung ang purpose is 'yung pang-inintriga, then it doesn't matter kung ano 'yung totoo," Suntay said.

"Because mahilig din siya sa motor sports nung nagkaroon 'yung kompanya ko, nagkaroon kami ng team ... I decided to form a team sa karera na 'yan, kinailangan ko ng celebrity driver ... siyempre sino pa ba 'yung kukunin ko edi kukunin ko na 'yung kaibigan ko to drive for us," he added.

"Si Dominic 'yung naging celebrity driver and from there on dahil alam mo mabait si Dom, ginawa ko na rin siyang brand ambassador ... As early as 5 years ago brand ambassador na si Dominic. Nakakagulat nga 'yung ni-post nilang picture, 'yung contract signing namin ni Dom nung kinuha siyang endorser. Wala rin namang katotohanan na binigyan siya ng gasolinahan."

Jalosjos reminded the public that such acts have legal repercussions.

"Sana naman itong nagkakalat that are claiming that they are mga batikang journalists, ingat-ingat din kasi they have a responsibility to the people," the politician said.

"Dapat fact-finding, hindi 'yung nalaman nila na nasa pangalan ko 'yung condo, sugar daddy na ako bigla. 'Di ba pwedeng ni-rent, 'di ba pwedeng nirerenta. Tumalon kaagad eh, ang problema roon sinakyan, gina-gaslight nila 'yung issue eh," he added.

"Naawa rin kami kay Dom kasi siyempre kasi affected na nga 'yung tao sa breakup, ili-link pa kami sa kanya. Kami pinagtatawanan lang namin at some point kailangan talagang tumigil, I think these people have to be reprimanded kailangan din may consequences, may batas tayo."

Talk show host Boy Abunda announced the couple's breakup on his program "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda" last February 6.

• Bea Alonzo, Dominic Roque split, says Boy Abunda

Alonzo first confirmed that she’s dating Roque in April 2021. The actress announced her engagement to Roque in July 2023.

• Bea Alonzo, Dominic Roque are now engaged

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