MANILA, Philippines — TV host-actress Kris Aquino defended her eldest sibling, Maria Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz and her husband, Eldon Cruz, after the latter was linked to an alleged P8.7-billion road right-of-way scam in General Santos City.
In an Instagram post with the words, “she’s a Queen with a little bit of savage,” Kris, the youngest of the Aquino siblings, said she would be ready to do anything for her Ate Ballsy, including putting herself in danger to protect her favorite sister, who showed her affection without any limitations.
Kris, sister of former President Benigno Aquino III, also said the allegations being hurled against Eldon were all false and baseless.
“This is a simple, CLEAR & REAL message. In our family, I love my siblings. BUT i believe it is obvious- my Ate is my FAVORITE,” Kris said.
“It’s not a secret i was disowned, but when i gave birth to Kuya Josh she was my 1 sibling who was there in the hospital. That’s just how she is- she has loved me unconditionally. No judgment, just a reassurance that i’d never be alone because she always believed i’d manage to right my life’s wrongs- that is FAITH,” she said.
“So this is me saying – HURT HER by spreading more unfounded lies about her & her husband and you will really push me to my very worst. I mean it when i say for my Ate i will take a bullet. Or worse, make the worst nightmare of all Aquino haters come true,” added Kris.
Earlier, Eldon and Ballsy’s son, Justin Benigno “Jiggy” Aquino Cruz, took up the cudgels for his father, saying the claims made by a Department of Justice (DOJ) witness against Eldon were “absurd and ridiculous.”
During a press briefing last Monday, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II presented to media witness Roberto Catapang Jr., who claimed to have been a part of a syndicate whose supposed modus operandi was to submit fake titles to secure payment in exchange for landholdings that would be used for government road right of way projects.
After being prodded by Aguirre, Catapang, presented to reporters a Jan. 12, 2011 letter that Cruz purportedly signed and sent to then Department of Public Works and Highways chief Rogelio “Babes” Singson seeking the release of payment for alleged fake road right-of-way claims.
But Jiggy denied that the signature in the letter shown by Catapang was that of Eldon.
“To tag my father in this ‘scam’ is absurd and ridiculous. The letter shown today at the DOJ shows a fake signature. That’s not his signature. It is not even remotely close to it,” Jiggy said Monday.