MANILA — Actress and beauty queen Michelle Dee said her friendship with Rhian Ramos and Samantha Panlilio has remained unaffected despite legal issues involving the three earlier this year.

In a report, it said that in an interview on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Dee said their relationship continues to stay strong.

“Hindi naman naapektuhan. We’re still very, very close, and we’d like to keep it that way,” she said.

Dee also said she is doing well despite the legal challenges that surfaced earlier this year, adding that she has been focusing on her work.

“I mean, especially kasi January pa nangyari. I’m really focused on things that I’m working on. Pero, you know, nobody wants to be put in that spot — to be under national spotlight, scrutiny, [and] accusations — especially without fact-checking,” she said.

The Miss Universe Philippines 2023 titleholder also expressed appreciation for how social media users now verify information before believing online content.

“I guess I’m also lucky na matalino na ‘yung mga tao ngayon. Matalino silang mag-husga. They can connect the dots, they can check facts, they can discern, and we’ve always said this, the truth is going to come out. It has been coming out and you can see it sa general opinion talaga,” she said.

She also raised concerns about misinformation online.

“Fake news is such a problem nowadays and it’s so easy to come out with a story without even fact-checking. I think people should stay accountable. Hindi naman porket may source ka it means totoo. A lot of people are victims of that – I just hope the truth comes out in that regard. I definitely don’t agree na dapat binibigyan pa ng panahon ang mga nagfa-fake news,” she said.

Dee, Ramos, and Panlilio previously came under scrutiny after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued subpoenas in connection with allegations made by Ramos’ former driver. The complainant alleged he was physically assaulted and illegally detained from January 17 to January 19.

The three have denied the accusations and have since cooperated with authorities, appearing before investigators and complying with requirements of the ongoing probe, while maintaining that the allegations are unfounded.