NEWSFLASH

---

ANOTHER LAWSUIT FOR RUFFA

Makati City, Aug. 31, 1998 - The foundation established to re-package the image of actress Ruffa Gutierrez is ironically dragging her into another legal controversy.

The Roof-A-Child Foundation chaired by Ruffa allegedly reneged on its commitment to provide 30 doctors and necessary medicine for a medical mission at the Carmona Sports Complex, in Makati City last August 16. The Liga ng Makati sa Kabuhayan Foundation, Inc. announced that because of the fiasco, it is a damage suit against Ruffa today.

Ely T. Punsalan, Masakaf chair, told the INQUIRER that the group will also file breach of contract and misrepresentation charges against Gutierrez and her project director, Zendle G. Carbonell for their alleged failure to stand by their commitment.

Punsalan disclosed that the medical mission was initiated by RACF which asked Masakaf's help to provide a venue for its program dubbed ''Oplan Kalusugan.''

Gutierrez, who is Sharmaine Gutierrez in real life, wrote a letter to Masakaf last July 29. Punsalan said RACF even asked Masakaf to invite patients and provide food and beverage for the medical staff. According to the agreement, RACF would be responsible for the doctors and medicines and the media mileage.

"As early as 6:00 a.m., the patients had gathered. They waited and waited but no doctors arrived. No medicine. No Ruffa. Worse, RACF did not even have the decency to inform us that it had cancelled its commitment," Punsalan claims.

When no doctors arrived, Masakaf was forced to advise 950 patients, mostly elderly citizens and children, to go home.

Punsalan added: ''She (Gutierrez) looked sincere so Masakaf members decided to help her foundation only to find out later that RACF, with all its leadership, is a big farce. ''For what she did, I don't know if her image will ever improve.''

Masakaf formally informed Ruffa of its intention to file charges. In a letter to the actress dated August 18, Masakaf said: ''The leaders and members of the Masakaf believe that only legal remedies can be made to answer for all the humiliation and frustration suffered. This includes the name of Masakaf which was tarnished by the irresponsibility of your foundation.''