ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE
Advocates Philippines
Michelle Dee Files Cyber Libel Case Against Xian Gaza
Photo from viral online/Xian Gaza
Beauty queen and actress Michelle Dee, Miss Universe Philippines 2023, has taken her legal battle against online misinformation to the courtroom, filing a cyber libel complaint against internet personality Xian Gaza and several Facebook pages on February 16, 2026.
Dee, accompanied by her lawyer Atty. Maggie Garduque, lodged the complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Cybercrime Division. The filing targets posts and content that Dee’s team alleges are false, misleading, and defamatory, moving beyond gossip into actionable cyber libel.
The complaint names four Facebook pages—Sarap Pinoy, Bagong Umaga News, Pinoy Star Buzz, and Celeb News—accused of spreading posts about Dee that allegedly constitute misinformation.
In statements to the media, Dee emphasized that her goal is accountability, not censorship. “The point here is to call out misinformation and uphold respect for women’s rights and privacy,” she said. “I’m here to push for accountability against fake news and harmful online conduct.”
Context of the Legal Action
This cyber libel filing comes amid another ongoing NBI investigation involving Dee and her colleagues Rhian Ramos and Samantha Panlilio, related to allegations made by a former driver regarding illegal detention and physical abuse. Dee and her team have denied the allegations, asserting that evidence indicates she was not in Manila at the time of the alleged incident.
Xian Gaza responded online following the filing, suggesting the cyber libel case may shift public attention from the separate driver issue, a claim not confirmed by any legal authority.
The case remains in its early stages, with the NBI reviewing the complaint. The filing marks Dee’s effort to address online defamation and push for greater accountability among influencers and social media content creators.
Dee, accompanied by her lawyer Atty. Maggie Garduque, lodged the complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Cybercrime Division. The filing targets posts and content that Dee’s team alleges are false, misleading, and defamatory, moving beyond gossip into actionable cyber libel.
The complaint names four Facebook pages—Sarap Pinoy, Bagong Umaga News, Pinoy Star Buzz, and Celeb News—accused of spreading posts about Dee that allegedly constitute misinformation.
In statements to the media, Dee emphasized that her goal is accountability, not censorship. “The point here is to call out misinformation and uphold respect for women’s rights and privacy,” she said. “I’m here to push for accountability against fake news and harmful online conduct.”
Context of the Legal Action
This cyber libel filing comes amid another ongoing NBI investigation involving Dee and her colleagues Rhian Ramos and Samantha Panlilio, related to allegations made by a former driver regarding illegal detention and physical abuse. Dee and her team have denied the allegations, asserting that evidence indicates she was not in Manila at the time of the alleged incident.
Xian Gaza responded online following the filing, suggesting the cyber libel case may shift public attention from the separate driver issue, a claim not confirmed by any legal authority.
The case remains in its early stages, with the NBI reviewing the complaint. The filing marks Dee’s effort to address online defamation and push for greater accountability among influencers and social media content creators.
Feb 16, 2026
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