BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday apologized to the estranged wife of Sen. Koko Pimentel for bringing out into the public her alleged claims that she is a battered wife.
However, Zubiri maintained he was merely quoting the senator’s wife, the former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Jewel May Lobaton.
“It was not my intention to hurt her feelings and that of her children but I was merely echoing the sentiments that she shared to us the night of the meeting,†Zubiri said.
He assured Lobaton and her family that he did not say she was physically abused by Koko.
“Being a battered wife does not only mean being subjected to physical abuse, but psychological, mental and verbal abuse as well. These are clearly defined in Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the anti-violence of women and children act,†he said.
Zubiri said in July last year, he received a call from a mutual friend who requested him to meet with Lobaton to discuss some pressing concerns.
“Initially I hesitated due to the fact that I was trying my best to reach out to Sen. Pimentel and to make amends. Our mutual friend insisted that I had to hear what Jewel had to say that night. So I brought my wife Audrey along so that it would not look political but more of a social meeting,†he said.
The UNA senatorial aspirant said that night Lobaton described to them her relationship with Pimentel. – With Delon Porcalla