The Ongpauco family feud because of Heart's relationship with Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero is taking a toll on the health of Rey Ongpauco, the actress’ 70-year-old father.
In a press statement sent to Yahoo! Philippines OMG! Cecille Ongpauco, Heart’s mom, said Rey has been having chest pains since the family feud broke out.
“Rey is so devastated by Heart’s defense of Chiz that although he has taken refuge in their summer house in Nasugbu, Batangas, he now refuses to be hospitalized,” her statement said.
‘State of panic’
Cecile is in a “state of panic” after her close relative, former health secretary Alberto “Quasi” Romualdez, advised her to bring her husband to the hospital at once.
She added that Heart should visit her father at once before his health worsens.
“If she wants to discard us, we accept her decision. But she knows about her dad’s precarious medical condition,” Cecille said.
She added that her husband was already feeling bad after he appeared for the first time on TV to talk about his disapproval of Heart’s relationship with Chiz. The next day, he left for the family’s beach house in Nasugbu to relax.
Cecile said her husband has varied health problems such as heart pains, "prostate ailment, diabetes, and hypertension.”
“He is a walking time bomb. For many years, our family has protected him from stress. He just arrived from an American holiday with her other daughter. But he was met with this scandal. His heart could not take it.”
Now, Cecile wants him to follow the doctor’s advice and get a thorough check-up in the hospital.
“If my husband suddenly dies from the stress, I know whom to blame and I will be very bitter against those responsible,” she said.
Cecile claimed that Chiz’s camp wants to destroy the Ongpaucos' name.
“First, Chiz’s PR team said that the Ongpaucos are destitute, and that he is doing Heart a favor. Now Chiz himself is saying that we are rich. He has different sides, depending on his political convenience. Our family is face-to-face with a dangerous politician.”
Cecille stressed that she won’t grant media interviews anymore.
