Brother of ex-business partner sued by Kris claims ‘grave threats’ from actress

The brother of Nicardo "Nicko" Falcis II claimed on Thursday that Nicko received grave threats from actress Kris Aquino who filed qualified theft charges against him.

"Contrary to the claims of Ms. Aquino and her lawyers, my brother staying abroad is not an indication of guilt. She took away my brother from our family and my brother is forced to stay abroad because of serious threats to his person and safety," lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III said in a statement.

"I know for a fact that Ms. Aquino threatened my brother: 'YOU F*CKING A*SH*LE NICKO!... DARE TO STEP IN THIS COUNTRY AND YOU WILL BE DEAD'," he said. 

He said that "grave threats" coming from the daughter and sister of former presidents would not be taken lightly by anyone.

Kris recently filed 44 counts of qualified theft charges against Nicko for allegedly using over P1.2 million from the funds of her production company Kristina C. Aquino Productions (KCAP) for his personal expenses.

Nicko did not appear before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday, where eight counts of qualified theft against him were being handled.

"Kaya kitang patawarin pero magpakita ka naman sa akin na you’re at least trying to meet me halfway because I've done more than my share," Kris was quoted by reporters addressing the message to Nicko.

Atty. Falcis said that Kris monitors the flight records of his brother and brags that she has "powerful friends."

When asked about the alleged threat, Kris simply answered: "Sino nagsabi? Oh, sana si Nicko nagsalita."

Atty. Falcis reiterated that the qualified theft charges filed against his brother were "baseless" and "totally ridiculous."

He noted that there was a different reason behind the conflict.

"From what I personally know, it stemmed from my brother's refusal to work for Ms. Aquino full-time, as Nicko has had many other commitments that Ms. Aquino was aware of and have agreed to before," he said.

"This, Nicko did not foresee, would be a reason for a such a tumultuous falling-out with a former close friend who obviously abhors rejection," he added.

The lawyer also belied Kris's claims that Nicko's camp was not sincere in making amicable settlements.

"It's not true that we have not been serious or sincere. She was the one who filed several cases while negotiations were ongoing," he said.

Atty. Falcis said the truth is on their side.

"My brother is innocent. We may not come from a political family or have powerful friends at our behest, but we have the truth on our side," he said.

Kris earlier said in an Instagram post that she doesn't want her siblings, including former President Benigno Aquino III, to be dragged into the issue.

"When they start throwing the mud as their defense, tama lang na ako lamang ang maputikan," she said. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News