Enrile dismisses wife’s statements as mere ‘suspicions’

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday downplayed statements made in a television interview by his wife, Cristina, who confirmed his affair with his former chief-of-staff, Gigi Reyes.

"Those are suspicions of a wife," Enrile told reporters.

He said Cristina did not seek his permission before agreeing to an exclusive interview with Professor Winnie Monsod for the GMA News TV program “Bawal ang Pasaway.”

"Hindi ko nga alam na magpapa-interview," Enrile said with a smile.

In her interview with Monsod, Mrs. Enrile admitted that she once sought divorce because of her husband's affair with Reyes. She also said her 90-year-old husband had 38 affairs.

In January last year, Sen. Enrile denied having a romantic relationship with Reyes, saying he's "too old" for an affair.

Enrile's supposed affair with Reyes first drew public attention when Senator Alan Peter Cayetano delivered a privilege speech early last year questioning her supposed influence in Senate matters.

Earlier in the day, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Mrs. Enrile's admissions could help the government prosecute Enrile and Reyes in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

Enrile and Reyes are both facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the supposed scam. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News