‘Ping Lacson apologizes to Kris’

MANILA – A day after telling Kris Aquino to lay off her 49-year-old brother’s love life, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson indirectly apologized to “The Buzz” host via a text message.

Reading a text message forwarded by actress Jodi Sta. Maria, Lacson’s daughter-in-law, Kris said the senator admitted that it was improper of him “to comment on what seems to be a family affair.”

“I said what I had to say out of caring concern for Shalani who’s like a daughter to me. Be that as it may, please say sorry to Kris for me,” Kris said quoting Lacson’s text message to Sta. Maria.

Lacson was referring to Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad who is the girlfriend of Kris’ older brother, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Lacson was reacting to Kris’ statement that she wanted her older brother to stay single. Later, however, Kris retracted her statement, vowing that she would no longer meddle with his love live.

According to the report of The Philippine Star, Lacson said he pitied Soledad when he heard the comment of Noynoy’s youngest sister.

“Lay off your brother’s lovelife because he is 49, and not 19 years old,” the newspaper quoted Lacson.

On Sunday, Kris said it is not within her capacity to dictate on her brother. She said people misunderstood her action but she clarified that she did it “out of love.”

“Kay Shalani, I’ve never said anything bad about you…. Iyong kay ‘Noy kung saan siya liligaya, alam niya doon ako. Kung anong mga pangarap niya sa buhay, alam niya nandoon din ako,” Kris said.

She said she made several promises to their mom, former president Corazon Aquino, before she passed away. Some of these promises, she said, are about her brother's welfare.

Noynoy also did the same especially with regard to her and cager James Yap's marriage, Kris said.

“Binilin po ako at James ng mom kay ‘Noy. We really went through a lot of problems last Holy Week. It was ‘Noy who went out of his way na kausapin si James without my knowledge. This week ko lang nalaman kay ‘Noy iyon,” she said.

She added: “Ang difference nga po namin is ‘Noy is very private… I am exceptionally public pero natututo din naman ako…. Kay senator Lacson, peace, bati na tayo.” -With a report from Aurea Calica, The Philippine Star