Sarah Lahbati, Abrogar now in good terms

MANILA, Philippines- Annette Gozon-Abrogar and Sarah Lahbati are now in good terms.

The reconciliation came after Lahbati's libel case filed against Abrogar, a top executive at GMA Network, was dismissed by the local court late this month.

Lahbati had also accused Abrogar of “under the table” dealings with a talent agency, which led to the filing of counter charges from both camps.

Reports said that the two patched things up after a mediation that happened last February 17.

A press conference was called on Friday where Lahbati's camp, led by her lawyer, Maggie Abraham, announced the reconciliation between the two.

“We felt the public deserves to know that the controversy has finally ended,” Abraham explained. “We will just release the statements of each party because of the restraint that was given to us by the Philippine Mediation Center (PMC) because all the issues, all the matters that has been discussed during the mediation are considered confidential.”

Lahbati's counsel said that if both camps would fail to abide by the order of PMC, they will be “cited for contempt.”

Abraham also said that currently, the lawyers are preparing all the legal documents and pleadings to be filed in court for the withdrawal of the criminal case for libel that was filed by Abrogar, as well as the verified motion to withdraw the petition for review that Lahbati filed against the latter.

‘I’m sorry’

After the lawyers explained the technicalities, Lahbati and Abrogar faced the media together.

“Ang gaan sa loob after, may peace of mind ako,” the actress said. "And secondly, I know that nag-sorry na ako nung mediation, but I want everyone to know that I’m really sorry, because I may have said something before rashly and put your integrity in question. I’m really sorry for that.

“I regret things na I said, and I’m very happy nakapag-usap tayo, na nangyari ang mediation na yun. Dahil hindi ko akalain na ganun lang kabilis na nagkaayos tayo. We only talked, and then okay na. And again, I’m sorry, and I’m happy that we’re okay na. Thank you for listening to me and for accepting my apology."

Lahbati also said that after everything that had happened between them, she realized that she should have talked to Abrogar earlier instead of hitting her in the media.

“It’s better nga na if you talk to the person na may problem ka with nang maaga para mas ma-solve agad din nang maaga yung problems,” she said.

Abrogar, for his part, said that she has always been open to a peaceful settlement if the actress would give her a very sincere apology.

“I can’t blame her, nineteen lang siya,” the GMA executive said. "Talagang na-misinterpret lang niya ang legal terms or contractual terms, lalo na gulung-gulo ka. In-admit naman niya na, oo nga, medyo mali pala, hindi pala tama yung interpretation niya."

"And that’s why nga nag-apologize siya and I saw the sincerity. Nakita ko rin sa kanya na it takes a very strong and big person to be able to apologize, 'di ba? To admit a mistake. And, I think, yun yung maganda sa kanya, because she can move forward now as a better person.

“Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Next time, pag may issue, tayo na lang mag-usap.'”

Back to work

Now that the issue is settled, Sarah is happy that she’ll be back to work after more than one year of being away from the limelight.

Her home network is now brewing new projects for her, and she’ll also be doing a telesine project with TV5.

“I’m very grateful sa GMA na may second chance, that I’m working again, and I’m excited,” Sarah said. “May mga plano na for me and I started working a month ago.”