Kris Aquino seeks legal separation from hubby

Kris Aquino has begun the process of legal separation from her husband James Yap, two weeks after publicly confirming her decision to end their five-year marriage. On Sunday's show, The Buzz talkshow host Boy Abunda read from a statement from Aquino's lawyers, Marcos, Ochoa, Serapio, & Tan law firm. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa is a partner of the law firm. "Ms. Kris Aquino has recently announced that she has decided to end her marriage to Mr. James Yap. We shall take the necessary steps at the soonest possible time and we request everybody to respect the privacy of the parties and let the legal process take its course," read Abunda. Aquino had earlier told reporters that she would no longer talk about the subject. "My lawyers advised me to not say anything, they are issuing a statement that will be aired on The Buzz," she said. Aquino has left The Buzz after 10 years of co-hosting with Abunda. Saying it was a "big sacrifice" for her, Aquino is leaving the show to avoid criticism which may affect the administration of her brother, who is set to give his first State of the Nation Address on July 26. On the other hand, Yap does not seem to seek separation. In his statement released on July 1, the basketball star said he had promised his mother-in-law, the late former president Cory Aquino, that he would take care of their family. “At isa pa, nangako ako kay Mom Cory na hindi ko pababayaan ang pamilya namin. Na-aalagaan ko si Kris, si Josh at si Baby James. Nangako rin kami ni Kris sa harap ni Mom Cory na hindi kami maghihiwalay," he said. (One more thing, I promised Mom Cory that I will not neglect the welfare of our family. That I will take care of Kris, Josh, and Baby James. Kris and I also made a vow that we will continue with our marriage.) In the end, Yap resolved to fight to stay together. “Inuulit ko, it’s final, ipaglalaban ko ang pagsasama ng pamilya natin. At sa tulong ng Diyos, alam kong malalampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito!" he said. (I repeat. It's final. I will fight to have our family stay together. And with the help of God, I know that we will overcome this challenge.) - Carmela G. Lapeña, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV