Jim Paredes admits viral video is real: ‘It was private, not meant for public consumption’

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Hours after he first insisted that a viral “sex video” was “fake,” singer and ardent Duterte administration critic Jim Paredes on Monday, April 1, admitted that it was, in fact, him in the video. 

“The video was real. It was private, and not meant for public consumption. I do not know how it became public,” he wrote in an April 1 post on his blog. 

“I can only surmise that in this ugly season of toxic politics, muckrakers determined to neutralize my influence by violating my privacy and digging up dirt on me are at work,” he added. 

Earlier the same day, Paredes denied being the person in the video. “Fake,” he had said on Twitter, responding to users asking him about a “sex video” that’s gone viral. His Twitter account has since been made private. 

Fake

— Jim (@Jimparedes) March 31, 2019

Fake

— Jim (@Jimparedes) March 31, 2019

Here’s the rest of Paredes’ statement as posted on his blog: 

“When I saw it on social media, I was in a quandary how to respond. But after mulling and praying over it, I decided to come clean. There are already too many lies and liars in this world. I do not wish to be a part of that cabal. I have chosen to be truthful because I know that painful as the truth can be, it will eventually set me free.

I have never tried to project myself as perfect. Of all the sins in this world, I believe sex is the most human of all. I am not saying this to excuse what, I regret, was broadcast on social media. I have always expressed my feelings freely. Today, I wish to express my truth. I am a flawed person, a human being, much like everyone else. I made a mistake, I was irresponsible. And I am truly sorry.

I know many of you have judged me and condemned me, and those who held me in high esteem are disappointed in me, to put it mildly. I apologize for my irresponsibility. But most especially, I stand in bottomless sorrow and contrition before my family who are reeling from the hurt and aggravation, and the embarrassment and shame, that should only be mine. I pray that they be spared any more wicked trolling by those who would revel in their pain.”

Users had spread screenshots of the video, with some claiming the person in the video has the same mole and tattoo as Paredes. It’s unclear how the video leaked. – Rappler.com