PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) called up Annabelle Rama this afternoon, April 18, to verify an online news item saying that her son, actor Richard Gutierrez, was caught overspeeding at the South Luzon Expressway early this morning.

The report on Inquirer.net stated that the actor was “stopped by traffic enforcers after being caught driving his red Chevy sports car at 178 kilometers per hour.”

The report also mentioned that the actor was driving to Tagaytay City, “when he was flagged down by traffic enforcers on the southbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway, in front of Eton City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.”

In the phone interview by PEP, Annabelle came to her son’s defense, stating that her son was apparently fast asleep on a black Savana van that was being driven by a personal chauffeur.

Annabelle clarified, “Wala nga siyang pulang kotse, e. Black ang kanyang kotse, van—Savana!”

Annabelle said that prior to reacting, "nag-imbestiga muna ako."

She first tried to reach the executive producer of Makapiling Kang Muli, Richard's upcoming primetime series in GMA-7.

She asked, “Ano bang kotse ni Richard ngayon, ‘day?”

The producer told her, “Yung van niya, Tita. Yung black.”

Annabelle likewise said, “Bago kasi ako mag-react, tinawagan ko muna yung mga staff!

“Ang alam ko kasi andiyan sa news, red na Chevy. Wala naman siyang red na Chevy.

"Saka on the way kasi, tulog siya! Tulog siya.”

Annabelle was as well able to communicate with her son’s driver who confirmed that he and his employer indeed drove the black Savana van on their way to Batangas.

Dismayed by the false report, Annabelle said, “Ayaw kong nasasabi na nasa news kasi hindi naman totoo!

“Ako mismo, kilala mo ako. Magye-yes or no ako, ‘Day, 'no! Magsasabi naman ako ng totoo.”