Hontiveros to Help Cherish Sharmaine Interior File Cyberbullying Cases vs Bashers

Cherish Sharmaine Interior, the woman who was caught on video last Sunday, slapping taxi driver Virgilio Doctor is now in big trouble. Despite apologizing for what she has done, she is still facing charges filed against him by Mr. Doctor. But while everyone who saw the video is mad at her, Senator Risa Hontiveros is willing to help her file cyberbullying cases against her bashers.



“Naiintinidihan naman natin si Mang Virgilio, at hindi natin kinakampihan si Ms. Interior. Kaso sobra naman ang ilan sa atin kung makapag-bash. Mayroon pang nananakot na rerepyin sya at sasaktan siya pag nakita nila siya. Hindi naman tama yun. Nag-sorry na at handa naman daw niyang harapin yung kaso. Ano pa ba ang gusto nila?” Sen. Hontiveros told reporters on Tuesday, December 19.

(We understand the situation of Mang Virgilio, and I’m not siding with Ms. Interior. However, some of her bashers are already going beyond the line. They are threatening her, saying that they will rape and hurt her if they see her. That is not right, anymore. She already apologized, and she’s willing to face the case. What else do they want?)

According to Sen. Hontiveros, her office is willing to help anyone who has been a victim of cyberbullying, and that it includes those who have offended others. It can be recalled that in November 2016, the Akbayan senator filed the so-called "Tres Marias" bills, which seek to give women more protection against sexual harassment and violence, including attacks on social media.

Must Read: * Woman Driver Who Slapped Taxi Driver Apologizes, Taxi Driver Files Case

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, added that Ms. Interior contacted her office and asked for help. The Liberal Party (LP) ally senator said that the latter is now suffering from extreme trauma. And despite the fact that Cherish Sharmaine has already deactivated her Facebook account, some netizens created fake Facebook accounts of her, causing her to still receive threats.



Last Monday, Virgilio Doctor said that Ms. Interior probably got mad at him when he honked at her and overtake her. According to him, he just did it because an FX behind him also did to him. The 52-year old taxi driver added that he already apologized to the woman, but still she went on cursing at him, and eventually slapped him. For this reason, he filed physical injury and damage to property cases against her.

Contributed by Cherry Luz Alcantara