Nadia Montenegro filed separate complaints against a Senate employee and certain media publications in relation to the incident of alleged marijuana use inside the Senate building.
Montenegro, who was a political affairs officer for Sen. Robin Padilla, was dragged into the matter after her name was included in the incident report filed by a Senate security personnel. In the report, the security staff member said he was informed of an odor that resembled that of ‘marijuana’ in the area where allegedly only Montenegro was present at the time.
The actress lodged complaints for unjust vexation and violations of the Safe Spaces Act against the security staff before the Pasay City Hall, stating that the latter pulled her toward the wall and grabbed her by the arm while confronting her for allegedly smoking marijuana.
Montenegro said the staff member did not immediately let her go despite denying the accusation and showing the content of her bag that included her vape. She added that he even allegedly warned her to be careful.
She further stated in her complaint that the staff member still issued an incident report addressed to the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms despite having confirmed that Montenegro did not smoke marijuana.
Such action, the actress said, made her feel ‘violated, harassed, annoyed, intimidated and confused.’
Libel case
Montenegro also filed libel cases before the Caloocan Regional Trial Court against two publications for their supposed false article and report.
In the actress’ complaint, she claimed that the publications falsely reported that she was the individual caught smoking marijuana inside the Senate premises.
Montenegro further noted that the articles subjected her to ‘misjudgments, bashings and grave humiliation’ which prompted her to go through series of mental and psychological therapy.