Padilla, lodged the case against Abante Tonight and DWAR Abante Radio over reports that she was allegedly caught using marijuana inside the Senate building.
Her lawyer, Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said the reports were malicious because Montenegro was only seen holding a grape-flavored vape and not marijuana.
Montenegro’s camp stressed that no apprehension ever occurred and that the articles created a false narrative which spread widely on television and social media.
“There was an article claiming that someone was caught in the Senate using marijuana, but based on the truth and the incident report from the Senate office of the sergeant-at-arms, what was found with Nadia was only a grape-flavored vape,” she said.
“It is therefore false and very malicious to say that my client, Nadia Montenegro, was caught using marijuana inside the Senate comfort room,” the lawyer added.
Montenegro claimed the incident had severe effects on her reputation and family, leading to her resignation from her Senate post for the sake of her mental health.
Later in the CONTROVERSIAL actress Nadia Montenegro on Wednesday filed a libel complaint against two media outlets in Caloocan City for alleged publication of false and damaging stories about her.
Montenegro, who served as a political affairs officer for Senator Robinhood ay, Montenegro was set to file separate complaints for unjust vexation and violation of the Safe Spaces Act against a Senate security personnel before the Pasay City prosecutor’s office.
Her lawyer explained that the second set of cases was filed in Pasay because the alleged harassment took place inside the Senate premises.
Montenegro accused the Senate staff member of grabbing her arm and dragging her toward a wall during an encounter on August 12.
She recounted that the staff member warned her to be careful of people envious of her, then suggested she was suspected of using marijuana after allegedly passing a Senate employee in the hallway.
Montenegro said she showed her vape device and even offered her bag for inspection to prove she was not carrying drugs.
She later learned that someone had taken photos of her during the exchange, which were circulated alongside the marijuana claims.
“In just a few hours, it suddenly became nationwide news that I was already accused, named, and lambasted, bashed all over, even dragging my children into it, which is why we decided to pursue this case,” Montenegro said.
She also said she resigned from her Senate role to prevent the controversy from being used against Padilla and to protect her family from further attacks.
Montenegro was previously involved in a high-profile legal feud with talent manager Annabelle Rama, which stemmed from alleged defamatory remarks on social media and television interviews in 2011.
Both women eventually reconciled and agreed to withdraw the libel and related cases they had filed against each other in Metro Manila and Cebu.
A Quezon City court formally dismissed 14 counts of libel against Rama after Montenegro executed an affidavit of desistance, saying she no longer wished to pursue the case.
