Is love affair over? Not true, says Shalani

MANILA, Philippines—Given two versions, perhaps one is inclined to believe that of a woman in love.

Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad Thursday shot down the claim of an entertainment and gossip blogger that she and President Benigno Aquino III had split up.

Malacañang, for its part, said the matter was not of state importance to warrant a comment and that it was better left to the 50-year-old bachelor-President.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was asked by the media to comment on the claim of a blogger calling himself (or herself) Mr. Blinditem that President Aquino and his girlfriend had called it quits.

The blogger claimed to have spoken to a Palace aide who supposedly said he could not confirm or deny the split but that “there maybe truth” to it.

No talk about love

“We have not seen Shalani lately. Let’s just wait for the President to give his official statement,” the Palace aide was quoted in the blog as saying.

At a Palace briefing, Lacierda said he and Mr. Aquino did not talk about his love life.

“For me, that’s not a matter of national importance. So if this is not important for the country, I don’t ask the President,” Lacierda said.

In the same breath, Lacierda said he could understand the curiosity of reporters.

“I fully share what you feel. We’re all alike in this,” he said in Filipino.

‘Happy and inspired’

Asked whether the personal life of the President would affect his work, Lacierda said it would not, “most definitely.”

He said Mr. Aquino’s “demeanor has never changed” and described the President as “always level-headed.”

Lacierda said the President was a “happy person” and was now also in a “very good emotional state” because of positive developments, such as a record-high stock market
surge and expectations of “good news” during his forthcoming trip to the United States.
“He remains inspired, remains determined,” Lacierda said.

Nothing unusual

Asked whether Soledad had been to Malacañang since Mr. Aquino assumed the presidency nearly three months ago, Lacierda said he would have to ask the President’s appointment secretary.

Lacierda said that he had not seen the Valenzuela councilor in the Palace.

Isn’t that unusual, that Mr. Aquino’s girlfriend hasn’t been around at the Palace?

“I don’t know the private life of the President. I don’t know where they meet. So I am not in a position to say whether it’s unusual or not,” Lacierda said.

‘Not true’

As reporters pressed on, Lacierda insisted that “the best person to address (the question to) is the President himself.” But he also said that because reporters were curious, he might just ask the President about it.

In a text message, Soledad denied the claim of Mr. Blinditem. “Not true,” she said simply.

Always quiet about her relationship with the President, the councilor declined a request for an interview. She also did not pick up calls from the Inquirer.

Buzz about a supposed split has been swirling since June. Her low-key presence at Mr. Aquino’s proclamation on June 9 and at his inauguration on June 30 fed the rumors.

Soledad was also absent during Mr. Aquino’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 at the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City, sparking more speculation.

The Valenzuela lawmaker told the Inquirer in July that she was not able to attend the SONA because it coincided with the city council session that day.

“But it’s OK, he knows that I don’t have to be physically present to show my support for him. He knows that I’m always 100 percent behind him,” Soledad said in that interview.

Hope is always there

Last week, the President was asked in a televised panel interview whether he still had time to go out on a date. He said he had no time to go out and that even if he did, there would be less privacy for him.

Asked in that televised interview whether people could expect a first lady in Malacañang any time soon, he said: “Hope springs eternal.”

Christine Avendano & Beverly Trinidad, Phil. Daily Inquirer