Kris seeks justice for 'Florence,' other rape victims

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Presidential sister and actress Kris Aquino said she would ask her brother, President Aquino, to attend to the quest for justice of “Florence,” the volunteer nurse who was gang-raped in South Upi, Maguindanao last Sept. 25.

“It would not be just for her, but for all the women and the other victims like her, especially the volunteer health workers and that it would not happen to them anymore,” Aquino said.

The actress arrived here Sunday night for an overnight stay purposely just to pay Florence a visit at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) after the victim expressed her desire to see her and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, two of her favorite personalities.

But the actress said she decided to visit Florence on her own even without consulting her brother, who was then still in Japan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit.

“He is in Japan right now (Sunday night). But everything we talked about and the attention given by (Justice) Secretary (Leila) De Lima on the case and because I already personally met her (Florence), I would also personally remind my brother about the case and since we are four women, who are his sisters, maybe the attention a brother would give to a younger sister, he could also give Florence,” Aquino said.

De Lima has repeatedly asked South Upi Vice Mayor Jordan Ibrahim to submit himself to a DNA test after he was implicated in the case.

Jordan, however, has repeatedly refused to submit his DNA sample.

The vice mayor was seen to have allegedly followed Florence on the way out of a videoke bar last Sept. 25 when the rape happened.

Aquino vowed to continue helping Florence in the future.

“I got her sister’s number and I told them that if there is anything in the future that we can do they can call me. I don’t hold any government position and I am not elected, but I think I am also in a position to remind those in authority to help victims like her,” she said.

Birthday wish fulfilled

Aquino actually granted Florence’s wish as the volunteer nurse celebrates her birthday today.

“I really wanted to come since it is her birthday on Wednesday (today), and I would like to personally greet her on her birthday,” Aquino told reporters after she emerged from the victim’s room at the SPMC at around 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

Aquino, who was accompanied by former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo, said she decided to pay Florence a visit after she read about her wish in The STAR last Friday.

“I read it in the newspaper (The STAR). Unang-una nabasa ng boss ko and then nabasa din ng sister ko na si Pinky who sent me the newspaper because I was in a shooting that morning near her house. My sisters told me that I should find a way to visit her to show that we really care especially that she is also a fan,” she said.

Aquino said she was only able to book a flight for an overnight stay here last Sunday night.

Florence is also getting her other wish – a visit by Escudero, who is set to see her today.

Aquino said she was impressed by the strength of Florence who, in spite of her ordeal, manages to smile.

Florence suffered paralysis on the left side of her body as well as lapses in memory as a result of severe head contusions she sustained in the attack.

SPMC executive director Leopoldo Vega though said she can already be discharged from the hospital, as she has shown remarkable recovery in her motor and cognitive functions.

“I asked her if later on if natapos na ang rehabilitation and recovery if she still wanted to work and she said yes and she wanted to still pursue her work as a nurse and that she be assigned in the emergency room,” Aquino said.

Aquino said Florence’s mother profusely thanked her, saying her visit was the “happiest thing that ever happened to the family for a long time.”

“Nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso that when I saw her family, her father, mother and three siblings, and I saw real love in the family, how they are all there for her and they really help each other out,” she said.

Two sisters of Florence reportedly had to give up their jobs to take care of her, while her father was temporarily hired in the linen section of the SPMC.