Actor-turned-politician Richard Yap has recently addressed the issue that he had a child born out of wedlock.
In an interview with Cebu Daily News, the 54-year-old star said in Bisaya: "I’ve been in show business for ten years and I still have a child. As you can see that person is not from Cebu. He doesn't know how to speak Bisaya. Why is he filing in Cebu? Who is behind that?"
According to Richard, a certain candidate went live on social media, who claimed to have found his alleged "long-lost child."
"She went live and that’s what she said. So this has all been planned from the start," Richard was quoted to have said.
"I have never seen him, met him, talk to him ever since. Just wondering where he took me to be his father."
Apparently, Prisca Niña Mabati cleared her name that she's behind the "illegitimate son's" petition for "compulsory recognition of natural child" or "acknowledgment of paternity and affiliation" at Regional Trial Court in Cebu City last Oct. 28.
Note that a certain Joshua Paolo Jensen from Bacoor, Cavite related that Richard has been ignoring his claim, which he started doing when he was in high school.
"Nag-contact ako through Facebook, social accounts, sa wife niya, sa anak niya. Wala po. Blinock lang nila ako. Matagal ko na siyang hinahanap," Joshua said.
"Nagpunta na rin ako ng ABS-CBN kasama ng mga lola ko at mommy ko, kaso lagi sinasabi out of town siya."
Jensen confidently said he's willing to undergo a DNA test to prove he's saying the truth.
Meanwhile, in an article published on PEP.ph, Richard released another statement through his lawyer, Joahna Paula Domingo of Domingo Garcia Lumapas Law.
It read: "It has come to the attention of our client, Mr. Richard Yap that a particular person purports to be his son. We have yet to receive an official copy of his Petition. Mr. Yap is certain that it would indubitably be unfounded. For now, Mr. Yap assures the public and his supporters that there is no truth to such claim and that, he places his confidence in our justice system in threshing out the TRUTH in the days to come."
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