Jinggoy Estrada addresses backlash over boyfriend question to athlete

Sen. Jinggoy Estradaon Friday gave a statement after drawing attention for asking a foreign athlete seeking Filipino citizenship about her relationship status.

According to a statement from the lawmaker, the remark he made earlier that day was intended as "friendly banter" with Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, whom he suggested could "apply" to be Gilas Women prospect Elizabeth Means' boyfriend.

“It may not be widely known, but Senator Pangilinan’s wife, Ms. Sharon Cuneta, is a dear friend of mine, and our friendship goes back many years—long before I entered politics,” Estrada said in a statement.

He clarified that he only questioned Means to better understand her reasons for wanting to become a Filipino citizen.

“Part of the Committee’s responsibility is to understand whether applicants intend to truly make the Philippines their home—whether by settling here permanently or even establishing a family in the future,” Estrada said.

“There was absolutely nothing malicious in the question,” he added. “It was asked in a light and conversational manner during the proceedings.”

This comes just a few days after Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay became the subject of backlash following his lewd remarks about Anne Curtis at a recent House hearing, where he pointed out that there's "nothing seditious" in Vice President Sara Duterte's past statements against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. He said they were just products of the VP's "imagination" as he likened them to his own "desire" after seeing Curtis in person.

He has apologized but maintained there was nothing malicious about what he said. Suntay, however, admitted that "there could have been a better analogy.