MANILA — Muling nagsalita si TV personality Maine Mendoza kaugnay ng pagkakadawit ng kanyang asawang si Congressman Arjo Atayde sa kontrobersiyal na flood control scam. Sa isang mahabang pahayag na inilabas sa kanyang social media account noong Setyembre 10, iginiit ni Mendoza na wala ni isang bahagi ng kanilang pamumuhay ang nakatayo sa pera ng bayan.

“I realized my initial reaction when the issue first broke came across as informal and casual. Felt the need to speak out immediately after hearing the news and listening to Arjo’s side regarding the alleged ‘involvement’. Forgive me for speaking up again this time,” ani Mendoza. “I know it may be wiser to stay silent while the investigation is ongoing, but I cannot let my last tweet be my only statement.”

Mariin niyang sinabi: “Not a single part of our life has been built on taxpayers’ money. Everything we have comes from years of work and savings. We pay our taxes, and we pay them truthfully, because we respect the same system we are accused of betraying.”

Dagdag pa niya, parehong may kakayahang pinansyal ang kanilang pamilya upang suportahan ang kanilang pamumuhay, at hindi patas na iugnay ang lahat ng kanilang naipundar sa pulitika. “It’s personally offensive to be accused of spending money that we have rightfully earned outside politics. It’s unfair to reduce everything that we are and everything that we have worked for to that single narrative,” saad ni Mendoza.

Sa gitna ng mga batikos, nanindigan si Mendoza na may karapatan ang bawat isa sa sariling opinyon, ngunit nananawagan siya ng respeto sa proseso ng batas. “Legal actions will be taken, and Arjo will clear his name by proving his innocence. Let’s allow due process to run its course before we condemn. God knows the truth, and we stand with clean hands.”

Bilang pagtatapos, nagpaalala siya sa publiko: “Remember the three sides to every story: their version, our version, and the truth. And we are confident that we stand on the side of truth. Arjo has nothing to hide. He has never been guilty of stealing. I’ll end with this, not all politicians are corrupt—some are just convenient targets. The real villains are celebrating quietly in the shadows.”

Si Arjo Atayde ay kabilang sa mga opisyal na pinangalanan ng mag-asawang kontratista na sina Curlee at Sarah Discaya sa umano’y flood control kickback scheme. Mariin na rin itong pinabulaanan ni Atayde sa kanyang sariling pahayag noong Setyembre 8, kung saan sinabi niyang “I have never dealt with them. Hindi po totoo ang mga akusasyon na ito.”

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng Senado at Kamara sa naturang scam, habang nananatiling mainit ang mata ng publiko sa mga personalidad na nasasangkot.

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