Freddie Aguilar and girlfriend tell DSWD to leave them alone

Freddie Aguilar and his girlfriend. (MJ Marfori/InterAksyon)

Music icon Freddie Aguilar and his 16-year-old girlfriend believe the Department of Social Welfare and Development have more important things to do than to meddle in their relationship.

In an interview with News5, the couple disagreed with the agency’s position that Aguilar could be guilty of violating Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

His girlfriend protested: “Nakakainis kasi iginigiit nila ‘yung child abuse samantalang alam namin at alam ko sa sarili ko na andyan siya, inaalagaan ako.” (It’s upsetting because they’re insisting on child abuse when we know and I know for myself that he’s here, taking care of me.)

Aguilar, 60, was also defiant. “They cannot ruin what we have. Not any government can ruin things,” he declared.

The couple, who have been cohabiting for six months, were having what they called a “mini-honeymoon” in Baguio over the weekend when they heard about the DSWD’s plan to talk to them and her parents.

They balked at the possibility that Aguilar could serve 12 years in prison and pay millions in damages if proven guilty of violating the law. The singer, who shot to international fame in 1979 with his signature hit “Anak”, insisted that he is truly in love and sincere and serious about the relationship.

“After 12 years ngayon lang uli ako nag-I love you at nag-start uli ako magplano ng wedding,” he said, referring to his last relationship, with the mother of his daughter, singer Maegan Aguilar, who had also come out in his defense.

Aguilar and his girlfriend met last summer when he performed in a campaign sortie in Mindoro. She asked to take a picture with him after his show. It was love at first sight, he said.

“I wanted to talk to her right away. Nagpa-picture siya sa akin tapos sabi niya, pwede ba akbayan mo ako? Sabi ko, of course!” he recalled.

From there they became textmates and fell in love, leading Aguilar to invite her to join him in Manila. But he said he did not know her age. As soon as he realized she was only 16, he talked to her father and asked for his blessing.

“Knowing that she’s a minor, I immediately let the father know about our relationship,” he said.

Due to the controversy caused by his public admission, Aguilar said he felt his hit song “Ipaglalaban Ko” (I Will Fight for You) is a fitting theme for their relationship.

He promised her grandmother that he will marry her in her hometown in Mindoro as soon as she turns 18. He gave her a love ring as a token of that vow.

“Tinanong na ako ng lola niya if handa ako pasakalan siya sa Mindoro sabi ko opo… Kung hindi naman ako ia-allow mg batas natin, I will marry her in Acapulco because one time I wanted to get married in Acapulco,” he said.

The couple asked the public to let them be and respect their union. As for the DSWD, Aguilar believes the agency has far more pressing issues to address.

“Marami po mga batang kalye na nagra-rugby, mga batang maliliit na nagbebenta ng sampaguita, mga ilang-ilang sa kalye at mahihirap na nagkalat sa kalye. Trabaho rin po ng DSWD yan… Sa palagay n’yo, mga kababayang Pilipino, na kami ang pinakadapat trabahuhin ng DSWD?”

Freddie Aguilar and girlfriend tell DSWD to leave them alone

Source: InterAksyon.com (October 24, 2013 at 08:02AM)

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