Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton in an undated photo. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BACOLOD CITY—The former wife of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III expressed glee over a court decision to annul her marriage with Pimentel but continued to hope that the Senate leader would heed a separate court order allowing her to see their children.
“I am officially single again,” beamed Jewel May Colmenares Lobaton when asked to react on reports that the Marikina City Regional Trial Court annulled her marriage to Pimentel.
She, however, said she remained hopeful that Pimentel would allow her to visit their two sons.
“He has kept the children away from me for three years defying the orders of the court,” she said.
But as the mother of the children, she added, she has a right to see them. Yet, Lobaton said she chose to keep quiet because she didn’t want a fight.
Beauty queen
As Senate president, Pimentel should follow the law and allow her to see their children, she said.
The Inquirer tried to call Pimentel but he could not be reached for comment.
Lobaton, a native of Bacolod City, was 1998 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and Miss MassKara Queen 1993.
Lobaton, who has been living apart from Pimentel since 2011, said she had sought an annulment in 2013.
Before the 2013 elections, she came to the defense of Pimentel to deny a claim made by then senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri on national television that Pimentel had physically abused her.
She withdrew a petition to annul the marriage in 2013, hoping that she and Pimentel would reconcile after they started dating again.
After the 2013 elections, Pimentel did not honor his word, Lobaton said. She didn’t elaborate.
“But that’s okay, it was a revelation that it was a match not worth fighting for,” she said.
Moving on
“That was my last hope for the marriage to work. I prayed to God, I just wanted to move on,” she added.
Last year, Pimentel filed for annulment of marriage and she did not resist because they both wanted the marriage to end with finality.
“I wanted out already,” she said.
Pimentel, 55, was reportedly in a relationship with Kathryna Yu, 35. Lobaton said she didn’t mind.
“I’m happy that my children have two mamas who love them. Mama Jewel and Mama Kathy,” Lobaton said. “This is a gift, with love it is possible. That is my stand. God is good.”