Eat Bulaga host Jose Manalo has been cleared of civil liability by the Court of Appeals in a P50-million debt case involving his estranged wife.
The appellate court affirmed its earlier decision and the Quezon City Regional Trial Court ruling which disapproved a debt compromise agreement entered into by Manalo’s wife, Annalyn, and business Froilan Clemente Jr.
The agreement, the court said, was “contrary to law” because Manalo did not sign it and thus did not consent to the deal.
The comedian’s real name is Ariel Manalo.
“The compromise agreement was signed by only one of the two defendants: Annalyn. On the other hand, herein private respondent Ariel or Jose, her husband and co-defendant, was not made a party to the settlement with the plaintiff, Froilan,” the CA said in the three-page ruling.
“More importantly, the main provisions of said compromise agreement involve admissions of liabilities and assumption of obligations made by Annalyn, not for herself, but also on behalf of her husband, Ariel, even if the latter was not made a party to the settlement,” it added.
Six years ago, Annalyn had filed verbal and emotional abuse against Manalo. The television host denied the accusations.
