Manila, Jan. 30, 1998 - Here is the official statement of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile on his reported marital woes with wife Cristina.
My wife Cristina and I are currently facing a difficult time in our marriage, and we talked about separation on her request before she left for the United States last Jan. 15.
What is totally false and malicious are the reports in the press and the rumor mills that the cause of our marital difficulties is an alleged relationship between me and my Chief of Staff, lawyer Gigi Reyes. There is no relationship, other than an official and professional one.
For years, my wife had often complained about my public life and the stress it posed to her role as wife and mother, but I always hoped that in time she would adjust. These past few years have been particularly trying for her.
Our children, Jack and Katrina, and I understand her distress, but we remain hopeful that she will reconsider her plan to seek the dissolution of our marriage, whose 40th anniversary we marked just four months ago.
At this point, my main concern is Cristina, and whatever will make her happy. If I have given my consent to a division of family assets and properties, it is because of love for her, not guilt. Now that we are in the later stage of life, I want my wife to be able to use her share -- and even part of mine -- as she wills. And I want our children to be able to so the same with theirs.
While we are therefore working very hard to keep our family together, I ask my friends for their prayers and good wishes, and I ask the media not to make a difficult situation more difficult.
Looking for a scandal in this story is misguided and serves no one. And it would cause us only further distress if innocents are smeared by gossip and rumor simply because they happen to be my loyal and professional colleagues. (end of statement)
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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