Zubiri apologizes to Koko's ex-wife but stands by his story

BAGUIO CITY - Former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Sunday apologized to his cousin Jewel, the estranged wife of Senator Koko Pimentel, but said he stands by his story that she said she was a victim of domestic abuse.

 

"I wish to humbly apologize to Jewel for the pain that I have caused for bringing this issue out in the public during a heated exchange on a televised senatorial debate last week," Zubiri said in a press conference in Baguio on Sunday.

 

He likewise said that it was not his intention to hurt Jewel's and her children's feelings but that he was "merely echoing the sentiments she shared to [them] the night of the meeting."

 

"Let me assure the family that I did not categorically say she was physically abused by her husband. I merely quoted her statement that she was a battered wife, and being a battered wife does not only mean being subjected to physical abuse but physical, mental, and verbal abuse as well. These are clearly defined in section 3 of RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence of Women and Children Act," he said.

 

He explained that in July last year, he received a call from a mutual friend who requested him to meet up with Jewel to discuss some concerns.

 

He said he initially hesitated because he and Pimentel have a complicated history but that he was persuaded to help Jewel.

 

Pimentel had filed an electoral protest against Zubiri for alleged cheating in the 2007 senatorial elections.

 

During the 2012 meeting, Zubiri said he brought his wife to listen to Jewel.

 

"That night we listened to her describe her relationship with Koko and her revelations convinced us that she deserved to be assisted in getting custody of her children. Several suggestions were discussed including making the reasons behind the separation public, but such an option was discouraged. The family decided that we will help Jewel quietly," he said.

 

"That is why it is regretful for the other party to say that we are using this for political means because we have kept this issue a secret even between our friends and family all this time," he added.

 

Erap was approached too  

He said Jewel had also approached her ninong, former President Joseph Estrada, to also seek his advice on the issue.

 

During this time, he said UNA campaign manager and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco Toby Tiangco and former Reps. Ompong Plaza, JV Bautista, and Lenny de Jesus were also present.

 

Tiangco, during the same press conference, confirmed that Jewel approached Estrada but refused to elaborate on what transpired during the meeting.

 

"It was a private conversation. Respetuhin na lang natin ito," he said.

 

Zubiri, for his part, said he does regret bringing out the issue in public.

 

"But I have been pushed to the wall so many times by Senator Pimentel and sometimes enough is enough. I uttered those words at the heat of the moment and even before the campaign started Senator Pimentel has been besmirching my reputation and making wild accusations without even offering a single shred of evidence," he said.

 

"I have held my peace and respect for him so long, but for him to repeat those lies with the presence of my wife is something I will not let pass. If the good senator is worried about what his children see or hear from the public then I want him to know that I too have children who also hear and see all the lies that he has been throwing against me," he said.

 

"There's a saying in Tagalog—''Yung aso na mabait 'pag sinipa-sipa mo ay kakagat din,'" he said.

 

The former senator, however, said that this will be the last time he will be speaking about the issue. —KG, GMA News