Salvador files counter-charges vs salesman he allegedly mauled

Counter-charges of slander and malicious mischief were filed yesterday by actor Philip Salvador against the 28-year-old salesman who claimed he was mauled by the movie star during last Saturday’s national day of prayer at the Rizal Park.

Appearing personally with his lawyer Reynerio Campanilla, the actor claimed in his three-page affidavit that his accuser, Wilbert de Ramos, cursed him repeatedly during their confrontation and as a result, he "had no recourse than to defend myself from the physically offensive actuation" of the salesman. He did not say if he actually punched De Ramos.

Salvador, a resident of Pinnacle Condominium in Mandaluyong City, claimed that his Toyota Land Cruiser suffered a dent which would take P11,000 to repair, as certified by a motor shop.

The counter-charge was directly filed with Fiscal Glenda Mendoza-Ramos by Salvador but this was later forwarded to the dockets office of the Manila regional trial court at about 10 a.m.

Based on Salvador’s affidavit, he was aboard his van seated in the front passenger seat, with his driver, a certain Renato, when their vehicle — then stalled in traffic — suddenly jerked forward. The actor said he was surprised and immediately asked his driver if they hit anything.

The driver reportedly told Salvador that the man on board a scooter behind them had kicked their vehicle. This allegedly prompted the actor to step down and confront De Ramos.

But instead of apologizing, De Ramos reportedly cursed him and said that he had been signaling the driver to move forward so he could pass but this was not heeded.

Salvador said De Ramos even reportedly threatened him, saying, "Humanda ka, artista ka lang, pamangkin ako ni mayor Lim (You better watch out, you are only an actor. I am a nephew of Mayor Lim)," apparently referring to former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, now Interior and Local Government Secretary, after he was pacified by another actor, Rudy Fernandez.

De Ramos, in his complaint to police, said he was maneuvering his scooter between two Land Cruisers at the Liwasang Bonifacio at about 4 p.m. when the one tailing the other moved forward, forcing him to brace his foot on the van in front of him.

He said he was surprised to discover that Salvador was the occupant of the van in front and got mauled by the latter before he could explain.
Salvador was only reportedly pacified when Fernandez alighted from his vehicle and pulled him back. By this time a television crew began taking footage of the incident. De Ramos said Salvador had some five bodyguards who joined in mauling him.

Salvador explained that Fernandez was aboard the Land Cruiser behind them with another friend, William Lao, but made no mention of any bodyguards.

Salvador alleged that he had been cautioning De Ramos about his curses during their confrontation but the latter reportedly went on spewing cuss words.

"The unsavory remarks of the respondent caused me disrepute and humiliation especially when it was done in public," said the actor in his statement. He also provided a photocopy of a picture of the damage to his vehicle in his charge sheet.

The lawyer for De Ramos, Amado Tetangco, for their part responded: "That is not true. Why is he saying that only now after the incident came out in the newspapers and we filed charges against him?" De Ramos filed his malicious mischief and physical injuries charges against Salvador late Tuesday afternoon.