Alexandra Eala Files Lawsuit Against ABS-C*N Chairman Carlo L. Katigbak, Alleging Sexual and Emotional Harassment
The sports and entertainment world was left in shock after Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala reportedly filed a lawsuit against ABS-CN Chairman Carlo L. Katigbak, accusing him of sexual and emotional harassment. The controversy erupted just weeks after Katigbak publicly praised Eala, calling her “not just a tennis player who deserves to be celebrated in the Philippines, but a legend.” The remark was made during a ceremony where Eala was allegedly offered a 5% stake in the network’s 53.10 billion peso empire, on the condition that she would become an announcer and public face of ABS-CN’s new sports programming.
According to sources close to the case, the relationship between Eala and Katigbak began as a promising collaboration meant to highlight Filipino athletic excellence and empower young women in sports. However, behind closed doors, tensions reportedly grew. Eala’s legal representatives claim that the media executive’s intentions were not purely professional, alleging that Katigbak demanded a “deeper connection” and subjected her to repeated emotional manipulation.
Eala, just 20 years old and already a global icon for Philippine tennis, reportedly decided to take legal action after months of alleged inappropriate communication and behavior. In a statement filed through her lawyers, she claimed she “felt trapped between ambition and fear” and that her silence was “misinterpreted as consent.” The case quickly gained international attention, with social media platforms flooded by fans expressing both outrage and support for the young athlete.
Carlo L. Katigbak, one of the most influential media figures in Southeast Asia, responded by holding an emergency press conference late Sunday night. Speaking from ABS-C*N’s headquarters in Quezon City, he vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “baseless, deeply hurtful, and politically motivated.” He emphasized his respect for Eala’s talent and contribution to Philippine sports, adding that he was “devastated by how a professional partnership had been distorted by false narratives.”
Despite his denial, the backlash was swift. Several major advertisers reportedly suspended their partnerships with the network pending the outcome of the investigation. Fans and advocacy groups have begun calling for accountability and transparency, with the hashtag #StandWithEala trending worldwide. Women’s rights organizations in the Philippines also expressed solidarity, calling for an independent review of the case and encouraging other victims of workplace harassment to come forward.
The controversy has also thrown ABS-C*N’s leadership into crisis mode. Internal sources revealed that the company’s board has convened multiple emergency meetings to assess potential damage to its reputation and finances. Analysts warn that if proven true, the allegations could lead to one of the largest corporate boycotts in Philippine history.
Eala has yet to make a public appearance since the lawsuit was filed, though witnesses say she appeared visibly emotional as she left the Manila courthouse. Her legal team announced that she will “continue to fight for her dignity and for women in sports who are often silenced by power.”
As the legal battle unfolds, both Eala and Katigbak face intense scrutiny. What began as a partnership meant to celebrate national pride has now turned into a scandal that could redefine the relationship between fame, power, and justice in Philippine sports and media.
