Manila, Feb. 20, 1998 - Carmina Villaroel's court petition for annulment of her 1994 marriage to Rustom Padilla cited many grounds. She claimed that Rustom, a violent person, beat and strangled her and dragged her from one room to another during arguments.
Rustom denied the charges, saying he's not a violent person.
Now comes Rustom's 13-page answer to Carmina's petition, which writer Ricky Lo describes in his Philippine Star column.
Ricky writes that Rustom's replied: "while very much married to respondent (Rustom), petitioner (Carmina) maintained an amorous relationship with another man."
Contrary to some reports and speculations, Carmina did not cite as ground anything pertaining to or questioning Rustom's gender.
Carmina mentioned Rustom's brothers in the light of "their alleged antics and errant behavior" and claimed that Rustom, "from the beginning wanted to control, restrict and repress Carmina's acting as the master of her life in the manner of thought, of debate, of who she should speak to, of what she can and cannot do, of what she can and cannot accept in terms of movie/TV projects, including her manner of dressing and behavior ... and she had to obey and submit without question or suffer his anger."
Rustom denied that as well, and revealed that she even allowed Carmina to give half of her income to her own family even after they were married.
To be discussed in court are the properties shared by the couple: a big house in Paranaque, a Subic Yacht Club share, P2 million worth of jewelry (still with Carmina), and a property at Eagle Ridge in Tagaytay. Their bank obligations include 50% unpaid balance for the Tagaytay property, and a monthly amortization of P77,000 monthly for the Paranaque home.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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