Joey: Kris’ offer might be a trick

Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez said yesterday he is hesitant to accept the offer of his estranged girlfriend, popular television host Kris Aquino, that she will drop all charges filed against him in exchange for a public apology.

Marquez said making a public apology would be risky since such an "admission" could be used against him.

In an interview, Marquez reacted to news reports that Aquino will drop the charges of grave threats and physical injuries on the condition that he make a public apology to her and say that she is not a liar.

During their acrimonious and much-publicized breakup, Aquino also accused Marquez of infecting her with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and of verbal abuse.

"It is probably a tricky move," Marquez said. "Salamat po (thank you), but I cannot accept that offer."

He added that he felt as if Aquino were "putting words in my mouth. She has made herself into a martyr, while I am the most evil man on the planet. The sad part is I wanted to live a peaceful life, because I know I will never win against a woman or the Aquinos. They are taking what little dignity I have left."

Aquino is the youngest daughter of former President Corazon Aquino and slain former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and the sister of Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta is an aunt and Makati Rep. Butz Aquino is an uncle. Former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco is also an uncle and tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco is her mother’s cousin.

Marquez said he never sent emissaries to speak on his behalf to Aquino. If their common friends are trying to talk Aquino into dropping her charges against him, Marquez said, they are doing so of their own volition.

There were reports that actor Anjo Yllana, who is also a councilor of Parañaque and godfather to Aquino’s son Joshua, reportedly approached Aquino and tried to convince her to drop her charges against Marquez.

Marquez said he realized that if he decides to give in to Aquino’s demands and issue a public apology, they may use that apology as an admission as evidence against him once charges are filed in court.

"I will just have to face them in court," Marquez said. "That is the only venue where I can speak the truth from start to finish nang hindi ako tatawaging bakla (where I will not be called gay)."

Aquino is reportedly set to file charges against Marquez tomorrow.

Marquez said he will start looking for a lawyer once they have formally lodged the complaint and that he will be given 10 days to file a counter-affidavit.