Golez denies link in Koko breakup

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Representative Anthony Golez (lone district, Bacolod City) denied allegations that he was the third party in the breakup of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and his wife, Jewel May Lobaton.Golez, former spokesperson of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a statement denied persistent rumors romantically linking him and Jewel May as they were reportedly seen together in public appearances in the city before.

Pimentel, when asked if a third party was the cause of his separation from his wife, replied: “None that I know of.”

Golez and Jewel were seen performing a synchronized dance exercise dubbed “JAM Step” in Bacolod late last year wherein almost 80,000 elementary and high school students participated.

In December last year, Golez and Jewel May sang Ogie Alcasid’s popular hit song “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang Dumating” in front of their supporters at a program in Barangay Villamonte in Bacolod.

The two were also seen during a beauty pageant in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental last month, wherein provincial officials reportedly noticed the “extra sweetness” with each other.

Also last month, Jewel joined Golez in the laying of time capsule for a building in the compound of the Bacolod City Police Office. She was not around however when Pimentel launched a disaster management seminar in Bacolod early this year.

Golez commented on the breakup: “It is something too personal to them, that all we can do is respect their privacy especially in these difficult times.”

He said the people should instead “pray for them (Pimentel and Jewel) and wish them the very best as they go on their separate ways and journeys in life.”

The rumors are black propaganda against him by his political detractors, said Golez, adding that he has been busy implementing different projects and advocacies that are more important in the lives of Bacolodnons.

“Let us not divert ourselves away from the more fundamental cries and needs of our people,” he said.

Pimentel, for his part, announced last Tuesday that he had separated from his wife of almost 12 years, with whom he has two sons.

“This may well be the most difficult public pronouncement I will ever be making in my entire life. And painful too, as every separation involves a certain degree of pain,” the senator said in a statement.

“I confirm my separation from my wife of close to 12 years, Jewel May Lobaton. We have been living separately since November 2011,” he said.

“I tried my best to resolve our differences for the sake of our two boys but have failed to do so. Now that we have separated, my main concern is the welfare of the boys,” the statement said. (FREEMAN)