MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast journalist Anthony Taberna thumbed down rumors that he received financial help from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family to pay off the medical bills of his daughter Zoey, who recently suffered from leukemia.
Speaking to Pep.ph at the birthday celebration of his wife Rossel at Elements Centris in Quezon City last July 31, Taberna admitted that the Marcoses offered to give money to the journalist's family but he did not accept.
"Ni isang kusing, wala po akong tinanggap na tulong mula kay President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at kahit na sa asawa niya," Taberna clarified.
Ka Tunying shared that as early as February this year, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had been calling him while their family was in Singapore seeking treatment for Zoey.
The journalist said the First Family had wanted to help financially, but he never got around to responding to their offer, yet he still wanted to offer his gratitude.
"Just to set the record straight. Gusto kong pasalamatan yung kanilang gesture ng kagandahang-loob nila, na nag-alok sila ng tulong para sa akin. Napakasarap po sa pakiramdam nun!" Taberna said.
Taberna even said that the Marcoses continued their offer even after the May 2022 elections, as did several other individuals which he disclosed, were politicians.
“Ang official line ko, ‘Nakakaraos naman po kami sa awa ng Diyos. 'Pag nangailangan po talaga ako ng tulong, kayo po ang una kong tatawagan at hihingi po ako ng tulong'," Taberna shared.
Ka Tunying wanted to clear up the issue after hearing rumors that he showed support for Marcos because "nakakapit daw sa patalim."
Zoey announced that she was cancer-free last month after posting a video on her Facebook account, detailing her medical journey, including having to journey to Singapore.
"Hanga ako sa tapang ng aming panganay. I love you, Zoey," Taberna said in a previous post when his daughter underwent chemotherapy.
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