Court allows James to visit Bimby, but Kris off limits

MANILA, Philippines - Professional basketball player James Yap was granted yesterday by the Makati Regional Trial Court the right to visit his six-year-old son Bimby but was permanently denied access to see his estranged wife, actress Kris Aquino.

Yap’s lawyer Lorna Kapunan said the court order dated May 21 denied the protection order sought for Bimby.

“The court said the child needs the father and the mother,” Kapunan explained.

She said the court recognized the father’s right to see Bimby but also granted the permanent protection order sought by Kris against Yap.

Although Yap is barred from approaching Kris within 100 meters, Kapunan said the San Mig Coffee basketball player accepts it.

“He can see Bimby for as long as Kris is not there. He is OK with that. He has moved on,” Kapunan said.

She said Yap wants to see Bimby on Sunday. The court had earlier allowed Yap to see Bimby on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Fridays at 4 p.m. overnight.

She explained the temporary protection order issued earlier by the court would now be quashed, restoring the visitation schedule of Yap.

Yap was earlier allowed by the family court to visit Bimby on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“But since he is attending an event in Escalante, we will be asking for a visit on Sunday,” Kapunan said.

Meanwhile, Kris’ lawyer Frank Chavez said they would block Yap’s intention to see Bimby on Sunday.

“That will not happen. We will have first to review all the interviews made by social workers and psychiatrists on Bimby, James and Kris, then we will decide. They cannot insist that James visit the child,” he said.

Chavez said the granting of the permanent protection order (PPO) is in Kris’ favor. He said they would be filing the motion on Friday asking that they be given copies of the psychiatric interviews and evaluation reports.

“They have found that the acts of James are in violation of her rights. This proves that Kris has been vindicated,” he said.

“The court, however, also recognized the right of James to visit the child,” Chavez added.

With the PPO, James cannot approach Kris within 100 meters, Chavez explained.

“Kris is satisfied with the order. It has vindicated her,” he said.