Actress and TV host Maine Mendoza released another statement online to defend her husband, Quezon City 1st District Representative Arjo Atayde.
Atayde’s name was mentioned by Curlee Discaya as one of the politicians who allegedly benefited from the flood control projects. He, however, denied the accusation.
On X (formerly Twitter), Maine posted the following:
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“Hi everyone. 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. 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.
I am well aware of the accusations, criticisms and judgments being thrown at my husband, me, and our family. After being bombarded with vile remarks the past 48 hours, I will not pretend they don’t sting, but I will also not allow lies to define who we are.
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. Both of us (and our families) are financially capable of sustaining the lives that we live, and 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.
I will never accept the narrative that accuses us of stealing and living off taxpayers’ money. That is not who Arjo is, that is not who I am, and that is not who we are—no amount of noise and accusations will ever make it true. And if Arjo ever did anything dishonest, if he were truly guilty, I certainly wouldn’t defend him and cover for him. Accuse him of other things if you wish, but not of stealing from people—that is one line he has never crossed, and never will.
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