MANILA – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero admitted he was hurt by the accusations thrown against him by the parents of his girlfriend Heart Evangelista.
In a press conference held in Naga on Thursday, Escudero professed his love for Evangelista, describing the ordeal they are currently going through as “matindi at masakit.”
“Bago ito, masaya at maayos kami ni Heart, pero sa nangyaring ito, malaki ang epekto sa kanya. Mahal ko si Heart pero matindi itong pinagdadaanan namin, masakit,” he said.
As a parent, Escudero said he is trying hard to understand where Evangelista’s parents are coming from.
“Pilit ko iniintindi ang parents ni Heart, parent din ako pero hindi ako naninira sa ngalan ng anak ko. Kahit gaano karami pera nila, hindi lisensya para yurakan ang pagkatao ko,” he said.
“Nadadamay ang mga anak ko pati nanay ko, lumalabas na parang hindi ako pinalaki ng maayos,” he added.
Escudero, who is seeking a re-election in the May polls, said he is hoping that people would just stop meddling in the issue.
He did not take any questions from the media.
Evangelista's parents, Cecile and Rey Ongpauco, held a press conference on Tuesday to formally appeal to both their daughter and Escudero to reconsider their relationship.
The Ongpauco couple cited several reasons for their objection to the relationship, including Escudero's alleged "fondness" for alcohol, his being 16 years older than Evangelista, and the possibility that the senator and their youngest daughter may not marry as Catholics.
Both Rey and Cecile Ongpauco emphasized their disdain for Escudero's being an alleged "alcoholic," saying it is among the reasons behind the growing tension within their family.
Evangelista, meanwhile, reiterated her feelings for the lawmaker. She also apologized to her boyfriend and to members of his family who may have been affected by the Ongpauco couple's allegations.
"Mahal ko si Chiz. Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa kanya at sa pamilya niya dahil nadadamay sila dito," she said.
Evangelista also said she hopes that her parents will respect her decision to be in a relationship with Escudero, who has expressed confidence that he and the actress will overcome the controversy.
"Mahal ko ang mga magulang ko pero nasa tamang edad na ako at sana pagkatiwalaan at galangin nila ang mga desisyon ko," Evangelista said. – with a report from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News
source: abs-cbnnews.com
