DSWD chief to Freddie: Act like an adult

MANILA, Philippines - Folk singer Freddie Aguilar should be mindful of his status as a role model and give up his relationship with his 16-year-old girlfriend, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman said yesterday.

“He has a responsibility to his fans and this includes acting like a responsible adult,” she told The STAR in an interview on the sidelines of the Food for Change food fair at the Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City Saturday night. “We’re trying to reach out to him.”

Soliman said DSWD personnel are trying to reach out to the girl’s parents and she wants to have a talk with the 60-year-old Aguilar to point out the foolishness of his public romance with a minor.

She said the DSWD will pursue the matter since “we have a mandate to protect the rights of children.”

Asked what the DSWD will do if the girl’s parents or Aguilar refuse to listen, Soliman said they will take legal action.

The DSWD had earlier stopped Aguilar’s girlfriend from traveling with him, unaccompanied by her parents, to watch his concert in Kuala Lumpur this month. The girl’s application was filed on Aug. 29.