Pormal nang nagsumite ng counter-affidavit ang dating GMA News reporter na si Nico Waje sa Office of the City Prosecutor ng Quezon City ngayong Biyernes, June 19, 2026.
Ito ay bilang tugon sa reklamong acts of lasciviousness at gender-based harassment na isinampa laban sa kanya ng kapwa reporter na si Athena Imperial.
Si Athena ay isang GMA News reporter at kinoronahang Miss Philippines Earth-Water noong 2011.
Kasamang naghain ni Nico ang asawa niyang si Leinel Waje at legal counsel na si Atty. Leo Lalusis.
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Matapos isumite ang counter-affidavit, nagpaunlak ng panayam ang kampo ni Nico sa pangunguna ng kanyang abogado, kung saan iginiit nilang wala silang anumang itinatago.
Ayon kay Lalusis, handa silang sagutin ang lahat ng alegasyon sa tamang proseso.
Pahayag niya: "Earlier, my client already filed our counter-affidavit, and the case is now submitted for resolution.
"Unfortunately, we cannot yet disclose the contents of our counter-affidavit since we do not want to preempt yung magiging decision ng ating honorable public prosecutor.
"So, itong case naman is submitted na siya for resolution, and ang importante naman dito is yung kliyente namin, si Sir Nico, is very ready to answer any allegation against him.
"In fact, from the beginning naman, siya yung naglakas ng loob para harapin yung mga kaso. Kasi alam naman niya sa sarili niya na wala naman siyang kasalanan.
"So, ayun naman ang importanteng bagay dito, na hinarap niya yung kaso sa kanya."
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Ayon pa kay Lalusis, kumpiyansa silang maipapakita ang kanilang panig sa piskalya.
Bahagi rin ng kanilang depensa ang pagsusumite ng counter-affidavit upang pabulaanan ang mga paratang ni Athena.
Ani Lalusin: "Based naman doon sa complaint nila, I think yung case naman nila, e, some of it rehash na lang sa similar case file.
"So again, just to reiterate, wala namang itinatago si Sir Nico. So, hindi naman kami ganoon nahirapan na mag-submit since katotohanan lang naman yung nilagay namin sa counter-affidavit."
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Samantala, sinabi rin ni Lalusis na wala pa silang natatanggap na subpoena kaugnay ng hiwalay na reklamong isinampa ng isa pang complainant.
Gayunman, nanindigan siyang handa ang kanilang kampo na harapin ang anumang karagdagang reklamong ihahain laban kay Nico.
ATHENA IMPERIAL FILES COMPLAINTS AGAINST NICO WAJE
Noong May 13, 2026, pormal na naghain si Athena ng reklamo laban kay Nico sa Office of the City Prosecutor ng Quezon City.
Kinumpirma ito ng legal counsel niyang si Atty. Aloi Renz Santos ng APS Law sa pamamagitan ng inilabas nitong statement.
Mababasa sa statement: “APS Law, through Atty. Aloi Renz P. Santos, confirms that Ms. Athena Mae D. Imperial-Rodriguez has filed the appropriate complaint before the proper authorities.
“This case is now before the proper forum. We will therefore allow the process to take its course and will not discuss the merits beyond what is necessary to protect our client’s rights.
“Ms. Imperial-Rodriguez comes forward not only for herself, but also as an advocate for those who cannot yet speak for themselves.
"She believes that incidents of this nature can no longer be ignored, minimized, or tolerated in any workplace, profession, or industry."
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Ipinahiwatig din ng kampo ni Athena na may iba pang indibidwal na nagsampa ng hiwalay na reklamo laban kay Nico.
"We also note, without further comment and out of respect for privacy and due process, that a separate complaint has likewise been filed by another individual.
“APS Law respects the rights of all parties.
"At the same time, we will firmly pursue all remedies available under law, guided by evidence, ethics, and proper procedure.”
Habang isinusulat ang artikulong ito, wala pang sagot o reaksiyon si Athena sa isinumiteng counter-affidavit ni Nico.
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