Sarah: I should be the one filing a case against GMA Artist Center

SARAH Lahbati reacts again on micro-blogging site Twitter after GMA Films executive Annette Gozon-Abrogar is keen to take legal action against the young actress.

Last January 7, Sarah said she had a meeting with Abrogar and GMA Artist (GMAAC) executive Arsi Baltazar about her career.

The 19-year-old claims that Abrogar and Baltazar offered her to sign a co-management contract with ICONS Talent Management. But with much deliberation with her parents, they refused the said offer because an addition 15% will be deducted from her salary, which Sarah find too steep.

After the allegations, Abrogar released a statement saying she will take legal action against the young actress.

On Wednesday evening, Sarah breaks her silence again on Twitter.

"It has been three days since Ms Anette Gozon Abrogar uses GMA news to bombard me and make my image look bad.. Why can't you give a statement about your involvement in ICONS Management Company dealing with GMA?" Sarah tweeted.

The actress added that they have all the paperwork and proofs to support her earlier claims. She also clarified that she never mentioned Abrogar to treat artists differently.

"What I'm saying is that artists from ICONS are given more of a special treatment. Why is she so defensive when it comes to ICONS? Give a statement about the underground deals of ICONs on the news!"

Sarah also answered some questions by the viewing public why she did not settle her problems with GMA and GMAAC behind closed doors.

She revealed they did try to fix the issues privately before it got public.

"I was even guaranteed protection by Mr. Gozon if I tell every detail, but when the blame pointed towards Anette, it became a different story."

On Abrogar taking legal actions, Sarah tweeted:

"I should be the one filing a case against GMA Artist Center, I finished filming two movies and didn't get paid, I still have collectible cheques from guesting in different shows and out of town shows since 2010 that are UNPAID."

"When you’re a small artist and new in this industry they will take advantage of you. Ms. Annette is still trying to shift the focus on other issues, why can't she give a public statement on the bigger issues of the artist center? That she tried recruiting me to join ICONS management?"

Sarah said her statement does not have malicious intent and she was just stating the fact and people deserve to know her side of the story.

She also asked the help of GMA News to investigate the truth behind the supposed deals between GMAAC and ICONS Management that she alleges.

"I'm not against the whole network of GMA but the system of GMA artist center."

GMA fires back

In a statement released by GMA-7 Wednesday, it reiterated that Sarah violated the contract she signed with the station after taking a unilateral decision to go on leave, even if it was disapproved by the network.

It also stated that Sarah's contract is with GMA Network and not with GMAAC.

With regards to the young actress' claims of under the table deals, GMA clarified:

"Regarding the issue of the supposed referral by some Network executives to ICONS Management, the Network reiterates its earlier statement that it did not authorize the co-management contract with ICONS Management. Concrete actions have been taken and penalties have been imposed on the executives who were found liable."

"The Network found no proof of her allegation that there was an 'under the table' deal between GMAAC and ICONS Management. The Network has a policy of prohibiting and penalizing any such 'under the table' deal between any of its executives and employees and others dealing with the Network. This policy is strictly enforced and implemented."

"If Sarah can prove later her accusation against ICONS and GMAAC, the Network will not only stop dealing with ICONS but will also penalize those who are guilty of such anomaly." (Sunnex)