Vilma Santos and Luis Manzano. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Luis Manzano
Veteran actress Vilma Santos-Recto could not contain herself from getting emotional over the accusations being thrown at her son, TV personality Luis Manzano, following his alleged involvement in an investment scam.
Manzano was recently subpoenaed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after investors of the gas company Flex Fuel Petroleum Corp. claimed that the company and the actor were involved in estafa earlier this month. According to a statement issued on Feb. 1, Flex investors said they had been asking the TV host to help them recover their money from the company.
The “Dekada ‘70” star became emotional in an episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Tuesday, Feb. 14, when the King of Talk asked her about her son’s recent controversy.
“It is not easy, I am sorry. It’s not easy. I mean, mahirap din kasi kung minsan it’s your job to do good, to show people that you’re comfortable but deep inside you’re hurting,” she said in between sobs. “And the only thing I can say is I know my son. Ang anak ko ay tumutulong, hindi nanloloko. Kaya yung mga nagsasalita at naghuhusga sa kanya, dahan-dahan lang kayo. Walang ibang nakakakilala sa anak ko kung hindi ako. And I know he is such a good person.”
(It is not easy, I am sorry. It’s not easy. I mean, it’s hard because it’s your job to do good, to show people that you’re comfortable but deep inside you’re hurting. And the only thing I can say is I know my son. My son wants to help, and not fool anyone. To those who are talking badly and being judgmental against him, be careful. No one knows my son except me. And I know he is such a good person.)
The emotional screen veteran added that she sought guidance from the Lord to protect Manzano amid his current controversy and that she also asked prayers from her friends.
“At this point, I am just asking for guidance. Not even for myself but for my children. Ako na lang, huwag lang ang anak ko, ako na lang… Hindi ko ‘to ine-entertain but I have always been in touch with my son,” Santos said.
“It’s okay. I am fine. It’s not easy. It’s not easy. At this point in time to all my friends and sa lahat ng mga kaibigan ko, it’s just prayers because I know my son, lalagpas din ito because I know him. I know my son,” she added.
(At this point, I am just asking for guidance. Not even for myself but for my children. Just give the hardships to me, not to my son. I am not entertaining the topic itself but I have always been in touch with my son. It’s okay. I am fine. It’s not easy. It’s not easy. At this point in time to all my friends, it’s just prayers because I know my son, this shall pass because I know him. I know my son.)
Abunda also noted during the interview that he had been trying to contact Manzano, but that the latter had yet to respond.
Santos addressed her son in a message, in which she stressed that the “truth will prevail.”
“You will be fine, anak. Maraming nagmamahal sa iyo and the truth will prevail. Alam ng mga tao ‘yan. Tumutulong ka, anak, hindi ka nanloloko and I love you. I love you, Lucky,” she added.
(You will be fine, son. A lot of people love you and the truth will prevail. People know that. You’re helping other people, son. You’re not fooling anyone, and I love you. I love you, Lucky.)
According to a report from INQUIRER.net, Manzano’s counsel Regidor Caringal said they had sent a letter to the NBI dated Nov. 8, 2022, which stated that the actor had already issued his resignation as chairman of the board of several companies under the ICM Group. To recall, Flex Fuel is part of the ICM Group owned by one Ildefonso “Bong” Medel Jr.
A month later, the TV host confirmed in an affidavit dated Dec. 21, 2022, that there were “still individuals” asking for help and assistance regarding their investments in the gas company. He also alleged that he “never” took part in managing the business, noting that Medel also owed him P66 million in investments. /ra/EDV