Heartthrob Richard Gutierrez is "surprised but happy" over a recent DOJ resolution favoring his filing of a libel case against Philippine Entertainment Portal.

On July 30, 2009, the Department of Justice dismissed Richard's libel suit against three PEP editors. Five months after, on Dec. 10, 2009, PEP received notification from the DOJ wherein it reversed its earlier decision to dismiss the case.

Richard was ecstatic over this recent turn of events.

“Siyempre nagulat ako. I didn't expect na magkakaroon pa ng gano'ng klaseng decision kasi medyo matagal na 'yon. But at the same time I was happy kasi nabigyan ng pansin ng DOJ ang kaso. They were able to reverse it, so there's still justice,” Richard said during a recent presscon.

The presscon was for the Gutierrez family having landed on the cover of S magazine with their palatial mansion featured in the mag for the first time.

Annabelle Rama was the first to break the good news to the actor.

“She called me up. My lawyers called us up, nakatanggap sila ng letter,” said Richard.

In the meantime, Richard awaits the actions his lawyers will make after the DOJ resolution.

With the Christmas season already in the air, is Richard willing to forgive and forget everything?

“Parang ang dali, eh, ano, pero wala pa kasi akong naririnig on the other side. They were never apologetic, they never approached us. Before that happened, we were very close to them. We treat them as friends. We invite them to our house. Ngayon, wala kaming natatanggap na text messages from them. Right now we're gonna take the righteous path and let the court decide na lang,” he said.

Assessing the year that was, the actor said, “Alam mo, 'yong 2009, I think it's a matter of choosing what you're gonna look at. A lot of good things happened to me in 2009. A lot of things happened to me but there are also some challenges. It was a balancing act for me.

“I was able to make my movie ‘Patient X.’ I was able to release my own cologne for Bench and Coke and other big projects but there are also big challenges.Hopefully for 2010, things will be brighter, easier."

The actor also gave updates on the chances of his horror film “Patient X” being released in the international film circuit.

“Actually, nakabalik na si direk Yam (Laranas) and may mga agents siya na naglalakad ng ‘Patient X’ kasi siyempre hindi naman ganoon kadali 'yon. Hindi naman kadali to penetrate the market. Definitely, next year we'll be part of a couple of film festivals.”

Richard remains elusive about his love life.

“Okay naman kasi ang personal life ko. I'm very happy. My family is there and some people inspire me so hindi ko masasabing malamig ang personal life ko. I'm happy where I am, personally and in my career. I'm happy.”

Asked about Jewel Mische, his rumored girlfriend, Richard said, “When the right time comes, I will tell you personally [about it]. I don't think its right to bluntly bring out her name in any of my interviews because there will come a right time [for that].”

So, what's the status of your lovelife?

“It's complicated!”