the seized pieces of jewelry of former first lady Imelda Marcos during an Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (Apec) event in Manila last year.
Speaking at the Ariel 100 Fearless Filipinas
event in Makati, Aquino said she decided to speak up on the necklace issue because it attempted to
tarnish the memory of her parents, late democracy icons Ninoy and Cory, who were instrumental in
toppling the Marcos dictatorship.
READ: Kris Aquino trashes rumors she wore Imelda Marcos’ necklace
“One thing that I really fear is that when you allow lies to continue, they become
truths,” Aquino said in her first public appearance since leaving ABS-CBN.
“I just want
everyone to see it to put the issue to rest. When the truth is on your side, it’s easy to discuss anything.
Natakot lang ako na (I’m afraid that) if you continue ignoring something because you thought it was
senseless and baseless, for some people it can be acknowledged as baka totoo (it might be true),”
she added.
Aquino brought the Bottega Veneta necklace in the event, which she said was
made of cubic zirconia and silver or “fake diamonds.”
The TV host-actress said the last thing
her family would do is to steal someone else’s jewelry.
“Nainis ako dito (I was annoyed)
because it was putting into question my mom’s memory… Nagre-react ako minsan (I react sometimes)
especially when it’s about the memory of my mom and my dad… They’re in heaven, give them peace.
You don’t have to use people who are dead and who sacrificed a lot for this country for you to win an
election,” she added. YG/RAM/rga