Leave the dead in peace.
This is the plea of Sita Yan, mother of Rico Yan, after former sexy star Sabrina M claimed that she had a romantic relationship with the late matinee idol.
Through a text message to veteran talent manager and now vlogger Ogie Diaz, Sita expressed that her son died over two decades ago and that controversies are unfair because he is no longer around to confirm or deny anything.
“It has been 21 years since Rico passed on March 29, 2002. The pain of the family losing a son and a brother has been permanently etched into our being. The recent news swirling around Rico is very unfair. He is no longer around to give his comment to either refute, deny, or acknowledge the claims. It is not only unfair but disrespectful,” Diaz said, quoting Rico’s mom.
“I ask everyone concerned to please STOP using Rico’s name for their own individual purposes. Please leave Rico and us in peace,” she added.
Sabrina M stands by story, braces for possible legal battle
During the press conference for her upcoming movie Manang, Sabrina M, or Maricaren Pallasigue in real life, revealed that 24 years ago, she was in a relationship with the late actor, but clarified that Rico and his former girlfriend, Claudine Barretto, were no longer together when she came into the picture.
But despite massive backlash and the revelation of her friend, former sexy star Katrina Paula, debunking the former’s supposed two-and-a-half-year relationship with the late actor, comebacking actress Sabrina M insists on her story.
In fact, contrary to what the public knew for over two and a half decades, Sabrina claimed that she was Rico’s girlfriend at the time of his death and that Claudine actually knew about it.
This prompted Claudine’s camp, through her legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio, to demand an apology from Sabrina M as she can be sued if found making false claims.
Topacio’s three-day ultimatum lapsed on Sunday, July 16, yet no apology was heard from Sabrina.
Instead, she seems to be showing no remorse and looks to be game for a legal fight after consulting with a group of lawyers from the Knowledge Advocate of Volunteer Lawyers for Free Legal Assistance.
True enough, her lawyer, Atty. Juman Paa said in a statement that the actress would not issue an apology, and while offended parties may file cases in court, they too can file counter charges for attempting to silence their client.
“Our client, Sabrina M, will not issue a public apology. The purported offended parties may file a case to assert their rights allegedly violated by Sabrina, in the same vein that cases are now being prepared against certain individuals who, in their attempt to silence Sabrina, intentionally committed criminal acts against her,” Paa said.
