Matapos masangkot sa kontrobersiya ang aktor at Quezon City First District Representative na si Arjo Atayde, nagsalitang muli ang asawa niyang si "Eat Bulaga" TV host Maine Mendoza upang ipagtanggol ang mister laban sa mga paratang na gumagamit umano sila ng pondo ng bayan para sa kanilang personal na pamumuhay, matapos idawit sa maanomalyang flood control projects.
Sa isang mahabang pahayag na ibinahagi ng aktres sa Facebook post, nilinaw niyang wala silang ari-arian o kabuhayang nagmula sa pera ng taumbayan.
Lahat daw ng naipundar nila ay dahil sa kanilang taon ng pagtatrabaho at pag-iimpok.
"I am well aware of the accusations, criticisms and judgments being thrown at my husband, me, and our family. After being bombarded with vile remarks the past 48 hours, I will not pretend they don’t sting, but I will also not allow lies to define who we are," aniya.
Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino nagsasama na sa iisang bubong?
"Not a single part of our life has been built on taxpayers’ money. Everything we have comes from years of work and savings. We pay our taxes, and we pay them truthfully, because we respect the same system we are accused of betraying. Both of us (and our families) are financially capable of sustaining the lives that we live, and it’s personally offensive to be accused of spending money that we have rightfully earned outside politics."
Dagdag pa ng aktres, parehong sila at ang kanilang pamilya ay may kakayahang pinansyal upang tustusan ang kanilang pamumuhay. Nakakainsulto umano ang paratang na ang kanilang yaman ay mula sa ilegal na paraan o pondo ng gobyerno.
Aniya, “It’s unfair to reduce everything that we are and everything that we have worked for to that single narrative. I will never accept the narrative that accuses us of stealing and living off taxpayers’ money. That is not who Arjo is, that is not who I am, and that is not who we are.”
Sa kabila ng masakit na batikos at akusasyon na kanilang natanggap nitong mga nagdaang araw, nanindigan si Mendoza na mananatili silang tapat at aasa na lalabas ang katotohanan sa tamang panahon.
Tinukoy din niya na kung totoo man na may ginawang mali si Atayde, hinding-hindi niya ito pagtatakpan. “Accuse him of other things if you wish, but not of stealing from people—that is one line he has never crossed, and never will,” giit pa ng aktres.
Binigyang-diin din ni Mendoza na ang mga larawang kumakalat at mga kuwentong binuo online ay maaaring magmukhang totoo sa iba, ngunit hindi dapat kalimutan na madali lamang baluktutin ang naratibo.
Umaasa umano sila na kapag lumabas na ang katotohanan, ang mga mabilis na humusga at nagbuhos ng galit laban sa kanila ay magbibigay rin ng pag-amin na sila’y nagkamali. Gayunman, aminado siyang bihira itong mangyari.
"And when the truth comes out, I hope those who judged and condemned us so quickly—especially those who filled platforms and our spaces with all sorts of hate—also take a moment to recognize how harsh and hasty their judgments were. But we all know that rarely happens. Because even when the truth is presented, some would rather ignore it and just keep on condemning," aniya.
"It is truly distressing to see people suffer in times of crisis because of corrupt politicians who put self-interest above all else, alongside their accomplices. Nakakagalit talaga. And we also believe those who are truly guilty should face accountability. Again, the truth will reveal itself in the end. We can only hope and pray that the justice system delivers justice to those who deserve it and to whom it’s due. I know we may be easy targets, but you are condemning the wrong people."
"I understand that people will choose to believe what they want to believe, and some will continue to mock, criticize, and crucify us no matter what. But legal actions will be taken, and Arjo will clear his name by proving his innocence. Let’s allow due process to run its course before we condemn. God knows the truth, and we stand with clean hands."
Sa pagtatapos ng kaniyang pahayag, iginiit ni Mendoza na hindi lahat ng politiko ay tiwali at may ilan na ginagawang puntirya lamang.
"Remember the three sides to every story: their version, our version, and the truth. And we are confident that we stand on the side of truth. Arjo has nothing to hide. He has never been guilty of stealing. I’ll end with this, not all politicians are corrupt—some are just convenient targets. The real villains are celebrating quietly in the shadows," aniya pa.
Matatandaang nauna nang ipinagtanggol ni Maine ang mister noong Lunes, Setyembre 8, matapos idawit ng contractor na si Curlee Discaya, nang banggitin ang pangalan ng mga kongresista at iba pang opisyal na nabigyan umano ng "kickback" sa kanilang maanomalyang flood control projects.
"Teka lang muna, those are baseless allegations. Please refrain from throwing hate and personal attacks at him, including me and our family until facts come out. I am with my husband in this. Wala siyang ginagawang masama sa loob," ani Maine.
"He has been doing his best to serve the people of his district in Quezon City since the beginning. I sincerely hope and pray that the people who are TRULY responsible will be held accountable and that innocent individuals be spared from this mess. Napaka unfair," dagdag pa niya.
Gayundin, agad na naglabas ng pahayag si Arjo hinggil sa mga paratang laban sa kaniya.
KAUGNAY NA BALITA: Maine Mendoza sa akusasyon sa mister: 'I am with my husband in this!'
"I categorically deny the allegation that I benefited from any contractor,” sabi ni Arjo.
"I have never dealt with them. Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito.”
Dagdag pa niya, “I have never used my position for personal gain, and I never will. I will avail of all remedies under the law to clear my name and hold accountable those who spread these falsehoods.”
KAUGNAY NA BALITA: Arjo Atayde, itinangging nakakuha ng porsiyento sa mga proyekto ng Discaya
