Freddie Aguilar fights for love on ‘Face the People’

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Aguilar’s “final decision” on TV5 talkshow “Face the People” was a compromise between fighting for his relationship with his 16-year-old girlfriend and abiding by the law.

In the episode aired November 4, 60-year-old Aguilar found himself at the center of opposing views, one in support of his controversial relationship with a minor girl, the other voicing concerns. Aguilar’s daughter Maegan, his young girlfriend’s mother Violeta Albao, and a couple with a similar age gap joined him in support. The show’s Life Coach Jared Pulido, a columnist Joey Sarmiento and lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles raised legal and spiritual issues. 

The show took Aguilar through 3 rounds of discussion. After each round, the audience, via electronic vote, would answer whether Aguilar should continue with relationship or not.

The ‘yes’ option consistently won in the 3 rounds.

The music icon’s relationship with a minor, refered to in the show as Bhabe, sparked public outrage in October. This prompted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to conduct an investigation. Aguilar responded by challenging the DSWD to prove the abuse.

The Inquirer also reported the musician was charged with a qualified seduction case by lawyer Fernando Perito.

Butting heads

The episode had Aguilar and entertainment columnist Joey Sarmiento butting heads over the minor’s choice to live in Aguilar’s house.

The musician argued that he was not abusing his girlfriend, and it was only those uninvolved in the issue that have issued complaints. He reiterated that the minor is mature for her age and does not think like a child.

“Sinabi ko na’t lahat na mahal na mahal ko si Bhabe pero ang tingin pa rin niyo, pinagsasamantalahan ko pa rin siya, hindi naman nagereklamo si Bhabe.”` 

(I’ve already said how much I love Bhabe, but you continue to think I’m abusing her, even when Bhabe herself is not complaining.)

Complain to congress

Lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the law had provisions for relationships like Aguilar’s. 

Aguilar said that the very laws built to protect a minor are at times against the minor’s intererest.

The answer, Cruz-Angeles said, is not to have a relationship with a minor at all. She explained that the law does not prohibit Aguilar from loving his girlfriend. While their love is not illegal, its “physical manifestations” are. 

Cruz-Angeles cited Republic Act 7610, or the The Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. Aguilar and his girlfriend may not be alone in public or in one room, house, or hotel without the child’s parents. The couple may not engage in any sexual activity.

If Aguilar stood against the law in priniciple, Cruz-Angeles added, he had the option of writing to Congress to air his dissent. 

True love waits

The show’s “life coach” Jared Pulido told Aguilar he must be guided by the fact he is a respected member of the industry and has influence over many people.

The show concluded with the same question asked of the audience posed to Aguilar. The veteran musician still committed to forge on with the relationship, although he recognized the restrictions imposed by the law.

Included among the restrictions is the prohibition against being left alone with the minor without the presence of a parent or guardian. 

“Lahat po ng iyon ay gagawin ko hanggang siya po ay tumuntong sa tamang edad sapagkat ‘yon po ang tunay na pag-ibig ko kay Bhabe.“

(I will do all of this until she reaches the proper age, because that is a mark of my true love for Bhabe.)

In the end, Cruz-Angeles said the situation was not as simple as adults stopping children from eating too much candy.

“Hindi po kendi ang pinag uusapan natin, puso, puso, puso,” Aguilar replied.

(We are not talking about candy. We are talking about the heart.) –Rappler.com