MANILA, Philippines — Actress Jennylyn Mercado was charged with perjury Monday before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly lying under oath that resulted in the filing of qualified theft charges against her former personal assistant.

The assistant, Rowena “Mel” Pulmano, filed the case more than a month after Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 Presiding Judge Vivencio Baclig acquitted her of the qualified theft charges Mercado filed against her.

Mercado is a contract star of GMA 7, and a resident of Vista Real Avenue, Vista Real Executive Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

Pulmano was charged in court after Mercado accused her of falsifying the actress’ signature in 19 of her personal checks with the total amount of more than P200,000.

Mercado claimed that Pulmano used the amount for her personal use and benefit.

Baclig acquitted Pulmano last January 15 after the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The court noted the during cross-examination, Mercado admitted that she did not know who signed the checks bearing the alleged forged signatures.

In the same cross-examination, Mercado also admitted that her signatures in the checks in question may have been forged by another person, and not Pulmano.

In her complaint, Pulmano stressed that in executing the complaint-affidavit dated Oct. 28, 2008, Mercado is criminally liable for perjury because she willfully and with “malicious imputation” filed the case against her.

Pulmano added that it clearly showed and proved in court’s decision that Mercado is indeed criminally liable for the crime of perjury when she admitted in court that she did not know who signed the checks bearing her alleged forged signatures.

The actress could not issue a comment Monday because she was operated on for tonsillitis at the St Luke’s Hospital. Her manager, Becky Aguila, said she would be sending a statement by text message.