Senator Sherwin Gatchalian remains tight-lipped regarding the recent controversy involving his girlfriend, actress and former beauty queen Bianca Manalo, and her “Magandang Dilag” co-star, Rob Gomez.
The trio, including another beauty queen, Herlene Budol, has become the focal point of public attention following the leak of explicit messages implying a sexual relationship.
During a press briefing on the 2024 national budget and the West Philippine Sea, Gatchalian was queried about Manalo’s alleged intimate exchange with Gomez.
Responding with a succinct “No comment,” the senator offered little insight into the matter.
Manalo, who departed for Japan with her family, refuted the allegations a day later.
She claimed that certain portions of her conversations with Gomez were deleted to create misleading insinuations.
In one leaked message, she asked Gomez to meet before her departure, mentioning a presence in Valenzuela, Gatchalian’s hometown.
In her Instagram statement, Manalo expressed frustration over the breach of privacy and the subsequent online backlash.
“It is obvious that parts of our conversation were deleted to create malicious insinuations,” she wrote, clarifying that the messages pertained to Christmas gifts.
Although Gatchalian refrained from commenting directly, he appeared to stand by Manalo by reposting an INQUIRER.net tweet about her clarification.
Budol also denied involvement with Gomez and any alleged intimate relations.
Meanwhile, Gomez initially claimed a lack of phone access but later uploaded a topless photo of himself.
The controversy unfolded when Gomez’s social media accounts posted now-deleted screenshots of private conversations between him and Manalo.
The screenshots, allegedly from Telegram, depicted Manalo inviting Gomez to her place.
Despite the public turmoil, Manalo urged for an end to the controversy to enjoy the holidays with her family.
Gomez’s interactions with Budol were also exposed, featuring flirty messages and discussions of a potential meeting. Budol addressed the allegations on social media, dismissing them as showbiz intrigue.
Notably, the trio were co-stars in the GMA Network teleserye “Magandang Dilag,” which concluded in November.
Manalo, a Binibining Pilipinas 2009 winner, has a notable acting career in shows like “The Broken Marriage Vow” and “Ang Probinsyano.”
Gomez, recognized for his role in “A Girl and a Guy,” shares a daughter with Miss Multinational Philippines 2021 Shaila Rebortera, who accused him of abuse in August.
The Daily Netizen 