Re: Marjorie Barretto Photo Scandal 11l
Odina Conkright
Marjorie Barretto Photo Scandal 11l: A Timeline of Events and Reactions
In May 2013, a photo scandal involving actress-turned-politician Marjorie Barretto rocked the Philippine showbiz industry and the online community. The scandal involved two photos of a woman who closely resembled Marjorie in different provocative poses: one had her exposing her breasts, while the other had her lying on a bed with only a blanket covering her lower body.
The photos first appeared in a tabloid on May 3 and quickly spread on Facebook and other social media platforms. The scandal sparked various reactions from netizens, celebrities, and Marjorie's own family. Here is a timeline of the events and reactions that followed the photo scandal.
May 3: Photos are published in a tabloid
A tabloid named Hataw published two photos of a woman who looked like Marjorie Barretto on its front page with the headline "Retokada pa more!" The tabloid claimed that the photos were sent by an anonymous source who wanted to expose Marjorie's alleged plastic surgery.
The photos were also uploaded on a blog site called Fashion Pulis, which is known for posting blind items and gossip about celebrities. The blog site claimed that the photos were taken from Marjorie's phone, which was allegedly stolen by someone.
May 4: Marjorie denies being the woman in the photos
Marjorie Barretto issued a statement through her manager Boy Abunda, denying that she was the woman in the photos. She said that she had not seen the photos yet, but she was sure that they were not hers. She also said that she would file charges against those who were behind the scandal.
"I have not seen the pictures. I don't know where this is coming from, but I am very sure that's not me," she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. "I will definitely take legal action against those responsible for this malicious act."
May 7: Marjorie's lawyer confirms that she is the woman in the photos
In a surprising turn of events, Marjorie's lawyer Lorna Kapunan confirmed that her client was indeed the woman in the photos. She said that Marjorie initially denied it because she had not seen the photos yet, but when they went viral, she saw them and admitted to her lawyers that they were hers.
Kapunan said that the photos were very private and not intended for public consumption. She also said that they were already investigating who leaked the photos and violated Marjorie's right to privacy. She warned that they would file legal actions against those who published or broadcasted the photos without Marjorie's consent.
"When Marjorie was asked about it, she denied as she had not yet seen the pictures. But when the photos went viral, she saw them and confirmed to us when she retained us as her lawyers," Kapunan told Inquirer Entertainment.
May 8: Kapunan sends a demand letter to Fashion Pulis
Kapunan sent a demand letter to Fashion Pulis, asking him to remove the photos of Marjorie from his blog site or else face possible legal action. She said that his publication of the photos was a clear violation of Republic Act No. 9995, also known as the "Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009."
The law punishes the act of publishing or broadcasting, or causing to be published or broadcasted, whether in print or broadcast media or through the internet, the photo of a person showing her private areas without her consent.
"Be informed that RA 9995 clearly and categorically punishes the act of publishing or broadcasting, or causing to be published or broadcasted, whether in print or broadcast media or through the internet, the photo of a person showing her private areas," Kapunan wrote in her demand letter.
May 12: Marjorie says life has moved on
Marjorie Barretto appeared on The Buzz, a showbiz talk show on ABS-CBN, and said that life has moved on after the photo scandal. She said that she had no choice but to be strong for her children, who were supportive of her during this difficult time.
"Life has moved on. (The issue) is closed, very closed," she said. "[K]apag tayong mga mommy may pinagdaanang pagsubok, we have no choice but to get up immediately dahil meron tayong mga anak na umaasa sa atin."
She also thanked her family, especially her sister Gretchen Barretto, for being there for her. She said that she would speak up more about the scandal after the elections, as she was running for councilor in Caloocan City at that time.
May 13: Marjorie's daughter Julia defends her mother
Marjorie's daughter Julia Barretto, who was also an aspiring actress, defended her mother from the photo scandal. She said that her mother was a strong woman who could handle any challenge. She also said that she was proud of her mother for being honest and brave.
"She's a very strong woman. She can handle anything. I'm very proud of her for being honest and for being brave," Julia said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Julia also thanked her family and friends for supporting her mother during this difficult time. She said that they were always there to comfort and protect her mother.
"We're very thankful for the support of our family and friends. They're always there to comfort us and protect us," she said.
May 14: Fashion Pulis takes down the photos
Fashion Pulis, the blogger who posted the photos of Marjorie on his site, complied with the demand letter of Kapunan and took down the photos from his site. He also issued an apology to Marjorie and her family for causing them distress.
"I sincerely apologize to Ms. Marjorie Barretto and her family for any distress that my post may have caused them. I have taken down the post as requested by her lawyer," he wrote on his blog site.
He also explained that he posted the photos because he thought they were newsworthy and relevant to his readers. He said that he did not intend to harm or disrespect Marjorie or anyone else.
"I posted the photos because I thought they were newsworthy and relevant to my readers. I did not intend to harm or disrespect Ms. Barretto or anyone else," he wrote.
May 20: Marjorie breaks her silence on the photo scandal
Marjorie Barretto finally broke her silence on the photo scandal in an exclusive interview with Boy Abunda on Bandila, a late-night news program on ABS-CBN. She revealed that the photos were taken by her former boyfriend, who was also the father of her youngest daughter.
She said that the photos were taken seven years ago, when they were still in a relationship. She said that they were meant to be private and that she trusted him not to share them with anyone else.
"Those photos were taken seven years ago by my ex-boyfriend, who is also the father of my youngest daughter. They were very private and I trusted him not to show them to anyone," she said.
She also said that she had no idea how the photos were leaked and who was behind it. She said that she was hurt and betrayed by what happened.
"I don't know how they got out. I don't know who did this to me. I feel violated and betrayed. It's very painful," she said.
May 21: Marjorie's ex-boyfriend denies leaking the photos
Marjorie's ex-boyfriend, whose name was not disclosed, denied leaking the photos of Marjorie to the public. He said that he had nothing to do with the scandal and that he respected Marjorie's privacy.
He also said that he was willing to cooperate with the investigation and help Marjorie find out who was responsible for the scandal.
"I did not leak those photos. I have nothing to do with this scandal. I respect Marjorie's privacy and I love our daughter. I am willing to cooperate with the investigation and help Marjorie find out who did this to her," he said in a statement sent to ABS-CBN News.
May 22: Marjorie files a complaint against Fashion Pulis
Marjorie Barretto filed a complaint against Fashion Pulis at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for violating the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009. She said that Fashion Pulis was the first one to post the photos online and that he should be held accountable for his actions.
"He was the first one to post those photos online. He started this whole thing. He should be held accountable for his actions," she said.
She also said that she hoped that her case would serve as a lesson to other bloggers and netizens who would think of posting private photos of other people without their consent.
"I hope this will serve as a lesson to other bloggers and netizens who would think of posting private photos of other people without their consent. This is not right. This is a crime," she said.
May 23: Marjorie's sister Claudine supports her
Marjorie's sister Claudine Barretto, who was also an actress, expressed her support for her sister amid the photo scandal. She said that she was proud of Marjorie for being strong and honest.
"I'm very proud of her. She's very strong and honest. She's a good person and a good mother. I love her very much," Claudine said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Claudine also said that she was willing to help Marjorie in any way she could. She said that she was always there for her sister no matter what.
"I'm always here for her. Whatever she needs, I'm here to help her. We're sisters and we're family," she said.
May 24: Marjorie's father Miguel dies
Marjorie Barretto's father Miguel Barretto passed away at the age of 82 due to multiple organ failure. He was rushed to the hospital on May 22 after suffering a heart attack.
Marjorie and her siblings were by his side when he died. They paid tribute to their father and thanked him for his love and guidance.
"He was a great father. He taught us a lot of things. He loved us unconditionally. We will miss him so much," Marjorie said.
May 25: Marjorie attends her father's wake
Marjorie Barretto attended her father's wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. She was joined by her children, her sisters Gretchen and Claudine, and other relatives and friends.
She said that she was trying to cope with the loss of her father and the photo scandal at the same time. She said that she was grateful for the support of her family and friends.
"It's very hard to lose a father and deal with a scandal at the same time. But I'm trying to be strong for my children and my family. I'm thankful for their support and prayers," she said.
Conclusion
The photo scandal involving Marjorie Barretto was one of the most controversial and talked-about issues in the Philippine showbiz industry in 2013. It tested Marjorie's strength, honesty, and dignity as a woman, a mother, and a public servant. It also showed how her family and friends stood by her and supported her during this difficult time.
Marjorie Barretto Photo Scandal 11l was not only a scandal, but also a story of courage, resilience, and love.
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