National Youth Commission chair and singer-songwriter Aiza Seguerra and Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS / RICHARD A. REYES
Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Aiza Seguerra have apologized to each other after trading barbs last week over the Department of Health’s (DOH) planned distribution of condoms in schools.
“Okay na sila kasi alam mo naman (They are now in good terms because as you know) family is family,” Seguerra’s wife, Liza Diño, said in an interview at the Senate on Tuesday.
Diño, chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), said it was Seguerra who initiated the move to patch things up with the senator.
“Nag-text sila sa isa’t sa kasi syempre troubled din si Aiza because iba naman talaga yung relationship nila (They texted each other as Aiza was troubled because they have a deep relationship),” she said.
Diño explained that Seguerra was just “very passionate” about the issue amid reports of the rising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases among the Filipino youth.
“Very alarming kasi talaga yung HIV data (The HIV data are very alarming) but I’m happy that Tito Sen understands…Nag-apologize din sya kay Aiza (He also apologized to Aiza),” she said.
As NYC chair, Diño said, Seguerra was also working closely with the DOH and the Department of Education to address the “alarming” HIV cases in the country, noting that 24 of 28 HIV deaths every day are youth.
“So I also understand where he’s (Seguerra) coming from, talagang he needs to address that,” she added.
Sotto, in a text message, confirmed that Seguerra had apologized to him through text.
Asked then if all is well now between him and Seguerra, the senator answered yes.
“I told her I understand and that she should not completely believe what some DOH officials tell her,” Sotto said, referring to Seguerra.
It was Seguerra, in a Facebook post, who first criticized Sotto for his strong stance against the planned distribution of condoms in schools, especially to underage students.
READ: Aiza Seguerra hits Sotto for opposing condom-giving in schools
In response, Sotto said he would rather believe a former Health Secretary than “fledgling politicians,” apparently referring to Seguerra, his former colleague in noontime show “Eat Bulaga.” RAM/rga