Showbiz 101

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA - Actor Richard Gutierrez on Wednesday admitted that he was saddened by the criminal charge filed against him by the wife of his deceased personal assistant Nomar Pardo.

"Nalulungkot ako at ang buong pamilya ko na kinakailangan at ginusto nilang pumunta sa ganoong desisyon and 'yon ang gusto nilang tahakin na paraan. For us, you know kung 'yon ang gusto nila then we will have to fight it out in court," Gutierrez said during the premiere night of "The Echo", the Hollywood remake of his film "Sigaw."

The actor said he and his family tried their best to talk to the family of Pardo but the latter refused to settle things out of the court.

"Nalulungkot ako. Hindi ko ini-expect na sa ganitong time ng buhay ko pa mangyayari ang ganitong klaseng...but I just would like everybody to know na kahit anong nangyayari ngayon it's motivating me and inspiring me to work harder," he said.

Pardo's wife, Lorayne, sued Gutierrez for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide in connection with the May 22 vehicular accident that killed Pardo and almost killed Gutierrez. The case was filed before the Municipal Trial Court of Silang, Cavite on September 18.

Lorayne blamed Gutierrez’s alleged utter disregard of traffic rules for the death of her husband.

Cavite Provincial Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said his office found merit to the complaint filed by Lorayne but dismissed the latter's claim that Gutierrez abandoned Pardo after the accident.

“Within 30 days ise-set na ng husgado [ang kaso]... magi-issue ng warrant of arrest against the accused, Richard Gutierrez. [The court will set] bail at P30,000. Then after iyong payment ng bail, [ise-set] ang arraignment niya,” Velasco said.

Lorayne claimed that Gutierrez immediately boarded a GMA 7 van and left Nomar who was gravely injured but still alive at that time. Nomar was later pronounced dead on arrival at Adventist University Hospital in Silang, Cavite.

But Velasco argued that, even if it was true that the actor immediately proceeded to the nearest hospital for medical attention, such act could not be taken against him. “Human experience has time and again demonstrated that the instinct to survive is paramount,” Velasco said.

Likewise, he noted that there were witnesses who told investigators that Gutierrez did not immediately leave the scene of the accident.

“On the contrary, respondent tried to look for Nomar Pardo in the ravine, which was so dark at the time. Respondent left the scene in order to seek medical attention only upon being assured that the other persons have joined in the efforts to look for Pardo,” Velasco added.

Gutierrez reiterated that what happened in Cavite was an accident. "Hindi ko gusto ang nangyari. I think gusto nilang i-demolish ang character ko but hindi ako papayag and I'm gonna let my lawyers do their job. Lalaban ako dahil alam kong hindi ko ginusto ang nangyari. Wala akong crimnal intention or wala akong binalak na ganoon for me willing ako to fight it out in court," he said.