MANILA – Jewel Lobaton, the ex-wife of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, could not stop her tears as she expressed her worry for their two sons, who are both living with their father.

Lobaton broke her silence a day after Pimentel announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News’ Jeff Fernando, the former beauty queen said all she wants is to be certain that her children are safe.

“In my prayers, umiiyak ako. I trust the Lord that He will guide my path, my walk, today. Pero today, I want to make sure my children are tested. Just that muna. Ang next step would be judicial issue,” she said.

As the kids’ mother, Lobaton said she is anxious that neither Pimentel nor his current wife is able to look after her two sons at this crucial time.

Pimentel is supposed to be in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus, while his current wife is about to give birth.

“We have minors who are left behind by two parents that were taking care of them during the time that these parents were under exposure or at least 'yung isa positive,” she said.

Loboton said the last time she spoke to her two sons was on March 13. "I had an access to chat with [my younger son] and we said I love you to each other. He knew that I was sick also at that time, not COVID. He said, ‘Please take care, mama,’” she said.

Physically, Lobaton said she hasn’t seen both her children since 2017.

“It is a suffering that only a mother can understand na kailangan ko tumahimik at hindi ko kailangan bulabugin ang set up because mahal ko ang mga anak ko,” she said.

“There are no words to describe the difficulty. Noong alam kong wala silang sakit [nag-aalala na ako], how much more now na exposed sila? [I feel] helplessness, worry, anxiety, sometimes rage and anger. Kaya I asked forgiveness from God,” she added.

At the end of the day, Lobaton said she just wants to assure her children that she is there for them no matter what happens.

Lobaton and Pimentel were married in 2000 and separated in 2011.