Lisa Abenojar, in a phone interview with The STAR, said all questions should be referred to her husband.
"To be honest, ayaw na naming mag-comment (we no longer want to give any comments). Lets just wait for Dale to come back so he can answer all these questions," she said.
Abenojar produced a certificate as well as a photograph showing that he reached the summit on May 15, days ahead of celebrated mountaineers Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata and Romeo Garduce.
His claim, however, raised doubts. Oracion and Emata while refusing to deny Abenojars claim outright said the background in Abenojars photo seemed different from what they saw at the summit.
They added that prayer flags and a portrait of the Dalai Lama, Tibets spiritual leader, were at the peak of the worlds highest mountain.
Lisa Abenojar doesnt know when her husband will be home from Nepal. "Theres no word yet on when he can return," she said, pointing out that her husband is still recovering from frostbite on his left foot.
Oracio, Emata and the rest of their team arrived Tuesday from Nepal to a warm welcome and cheers from family, friends and supporters. They were honored yesterday at Malacañang by President Arroyo.
Team members wonder how Abenojar could have reached the summit ahead of Oracion and Emata, pointing out that the northern face that Abenojar reportedly scaled was the more difficult route.
There was also no word concerning Abenojars supposed feat among the mountaineering community in Kathmandu, Nepal, they said.
Garduces camp, on the other hand, said they were ready to acknowledge Abenojars claim if he could prove it.
"Its his responsibility to do so anyway. He can easily do this with photos, videos," an official of a company that sponsored Garduces climb told The STAR.