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Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Tycoon sued by mistress
By Benjamin B. Pulta
A COMMON-LAW wife of a businessman who is also a Philippine ambassador filed a suit for spousal abuse and support Monday against the envoy before a local court.
In a 10-page petition, Cathy B. Songco, 41, sued magnate Antonio Cabangon-Chua, 69, with whom she bore four children during their 19-year long relationship. Chua is the Philippine representative I n Laos.
She said she was unaware that the diplomat was married at the time when their whirlwind romance started in the mid-80s.
Cabangon-Chua owns a number of businesses including radio station dwIZ, the weekly magazine Graphic, the Orchid Garden Hotel, a local hotel chain in downtown Manila and the Eternal Garden cemetery.
Songco, who owns City Songco Pawnshop in Quiapo Manila, said she filed the petition to protect herself and her kids from alleged "constant abuse he inflicts on them."
Songco declined during a press briefing Monday to give details about the last time she was abused nor did she produce a medical report about the alleged physical abuses.
She is asking the court to grant her custody of their minor children as well as P500,000 in support of her estranged lover.
Songco is likewise asking for "use of an automobile and other essential personal effects" and P300,000 for attorney's fees for her lawyer, Bonifacio Alentajan.
She is also seeking the posting by Chua of a 5 million bond with the court to keep the peace.
The petition for a permanent protection order under the Republic Act 9262 also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 was filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
She left Chua two months ago leaving behind her kids in their house but she want to have custody of their kids.
"Because I am sick and tired of being a punching bag. I am sick and tired of his extreme cruelty, destructive violence and constant threats to me. So I am doing this to protect myself and our four lovely children who do not deserve a father like him," Songco said.
Chua also allegedly physically harms their children.
Aside from the prohibition from physical contact, Songco also asks for security to accompany her, vehicle for her personal use, grant of custody of their minor children, financial support amounting to P500,000 a month from Chua, attorney's fees and all costs of litigation amounting to P300,000 and a P5 million peace bond.
Songco said the physical abuse started since she was 24 as Chua suspects she has a relationship with another man aside from him.
(June 1, 2004 issue)
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