"Conflict of interest," according to Lily Monteverde, is the reason why Carla Abellana cannot promote Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.
That's because, Carla is a contract star of Regal Films, where she has another entry, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.
Last December 19, the Kapuso actress did not show up at the press conference of Governor ER Ejercito's entry to this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The politician-actor told the press that Mother Lily (how the Regal Films matriarch is known in the industry) is hindering his leading lady from promoting his film.
"Siya ang humaharang. Ayaw niyang mag-promote si Carla, e...Ang banggit sa akin ni Carla at ng kanyang manager na si Arnold Vegafria, 'pag sila daw ay nag-promote, o pupunta sa presscon, sasakay sa float sa December 24, at kapag nanood sa premiere night, e, idedemanda raw ng Regal Films," said the governor of Laguna.
For her part, Carla denied being held back by Regal Films, "Hindi ko lang talaga kakayanin mag-promote ng dalawang movies, but wala namang legal threats, wala namang anything na ganun."
To clear the air, Mother Lily decided to speak up on the issue, stressing that Carla is a contract star of her film outfit.
In her statement, which was emailed to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), early this afternoon, December 11, she said: "Carla has an EXCLUSIVE contract with Regal. It is not true that her contract gives her or her manager an option to do movies outside of Regal."
She said, "Don't blame me," because the problem arose after Carla's manager accepted the project without the knowledge of Regal Films.
Mother Lily also said she had the option to sue, but decided against it.
The lady boss said, "It's so hurting that we were the last to know about her appearance in that movie.
"I don't want to sue my stars, hindi naman maganda na isang pamilya kami, kami pa ang magdedemandahan."
Below is the complete statement of Mother Lily:
"I have kept quiet on this issue because Carla Abellana is a Regal baby. I felt I have to protect her.
"But I am speaking now, because I have to explain and clear things up.
"Regal was the last to know that Carla's manager, Arnold Vegafria, accepted the offer for her to do The Asiong Salonga Story.
"We were told about it only until after Carla [had] finished shooting her scenes.
"When I learned about it, I told Arnold, 'Nandiyan na 'yan, we cannot do anything about it anymore. Ayusin mo ito.'
"Regal and Arnold agreed that Carla will not help promote The Asiong Salonga Story only because she also has a filmfest entry with Regal, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and there will be conflict of interest.
"Carla has an EXCLUSIVE contract with Regal. It is not true that her contract gives her or her manager an option to do movies outside of Regal.
"I have no anger, kahit si ER, anak-anakan ko 'yan. ER and I talked last Friday and I explained to him Regal's side.
"It's just too sad that in situations such as this, Arnold doesn't even lift a finger.
"Tinakpan ko lahat alang-alang kay Carla. It's so hurting that we [Regal] were the last to know about her appearance in that movie.
"I don't want to sue my stars, hindi naman maganda na isang pamilya kami, kami pa ang magdedemandahan.
"I would just want to cite Marian Rivera's case. Marian, like Carla, is an EXCLUSIVE Regal contract star. Ipinahiram namin si Marian kay Sen. Bong Revilla for Panday 2 because grabe ang courtesy na binigay ni Sen. Bong sa Regal before they even shot the film.
"I just want to say, don't blame me. I didn't talk because I wanted to protect our star. Hindi ako galit, I just want to set the record straight.
"I pray that things go right from hereon. I just want to be fair to myself, to everybody and to showbiz people.
"The thing is respeto lang sa isa't isa."
ARNOLD'S STATEMENT. Arnold aired his side of the story to PEP, via phone interview at 2:20 p.m.
"We’re very apologetic. I made a mistake. I already talked to her. We already sorted out the problem four months ago."
Arnold also explained that he accepted the project because initially, Carla would just do a "guest role" in an "indie film," which was supposedly for "international release."
The offer was both strategic and lucrative, he said.
"Siyempre, ilalabas abroad, magandang opportunity. And the offer was really good."
He revealed that Carla's contract "allows her to do one movie outside of her mother company."
His "honest mistake," he told PEP, "hindi naipagpapaalam kay Mother [Lily].
"At that time, Asiong Salonga was not yet part of the MMFF. Di ba, originally, kay Robin yung slot?
"At mula sa guest role...Siguro nung nakita sa shoot na may talent si Carla, lumaki na nang lumaki..."
It did not help that his talent had a very hectic schedule this month.
"Four times a week nagti-taping, may soap, may pelikula, 'tapos commercial at pictorial, busy talaga yung bata."
And for the fourth time, he apologized to Mother Lily.
"I respect her. She's just like a mother to me. I made a mistake just like a son, and I apologized. It will never happen again.
"Our loyalty is with her. We're very thankful kay Mother. We owe a lot to her."
He also thanked her for giving Carla such a wondeful opportunity to work with Maricel Soriano.
"Hindi pa siya artista, fan na siya ni Maricel. Siyempre, magandang opportunity rin na makatrabaho si Gabby Concepcion at iba pang magagaling na cast ng Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.
He also thanked Governor ER.
"Kasi, ginawa niyang leading lady sa film si Carla at binigyan ng magandang billing. Magandang opportunity din na nakatrabaho niya ang action star pati na rin ang multi-awarded actor na si Phillip Salvador."
Lastly, he said, "Forgiveness is the essence of Christmas.
"Sana no more negativity, magtulungan na lang for the betterment of the industry.
"And I think Mother will be happy if maging successful ang mga movies ni Carla.
"Yung isa, action, yung isa drama...Kung maging successful both, e, di lahat masaya."