Susan admits hitting bet but denies punching

BACOLOD CITY - It may have been more of a jab than a punch. Either way, actress Susan Roces admitted hitting a local candidate for his supposed rough manners. But both apparently did not intend to get on each other’s nerves.

Roces broke her silence yesterday and denied punching Allan Celino, Roxas City vice-mayoral candidate of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) whose standard-bearer is her husband Fernando Poe Jr., during a campaign rally in Roxas City last Saturday.

Roces clarified it was more of a quick shove at Celino’s chest than a sharp blow while he was trying to get her into position for supporters to get a better view of her. "I might have hit him on the chest but I did not punch him," said Roces, who is on a campaign sortie in Negros Occidental.

The soft-spoken actress denied avoiding the media after the incident. She said she was in Iloilo and Guimaras meeting with KNP leaders.

Poe, famous for his rapidfire punches against bad guys in the movies, reportedly got piqued at Celino, saying he had known his wife for so long and that she would not do such a thing if there was no pressing reason.

Poe refused to comment on the incident. "Wag na nating pagusapan. Naayos na iyon (Let’s not talk about it because it has already been settled)," he told reporters as he arrived at the Plastics City in Canumay, Valenzuela City yesterday. It was merely a result of a misunderstanding, he said.

Roces admitted she told off Celino for repeatedly tapping her arm to get her attention. She was aboard a truck during a motorcade and Celino told her to wave to people on the other side of the vehicle.

Roces said she asked to trade places with Celino to get to the other side but he continued to roughly touch her arm, she said. She told Celino to back off. "Ano ba? Kanina ka pa!" she admitted telling him as she shoved his arm, which could have resulted in her accidentally hitting Celino in the chest. - With Nikko Dizon, Marichu Villanueva