Kris Aquino May Still Appeal Court Decision on Bimby

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA – The camp of television host Kris Aquino may file an appeal on the denial of the permanent protection order (PPO) against James Yap for their son James “Bimby” Yap Jr.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Thursday, Aquino’s lawyer Frank Chavez said they are seeking to get copies of the reports made by the social worker and the child psychologist, which supposedly became the basis of the rejection of the PPO for Bimby.

“Noong Martes, nag-file kami ng motion asking the court to provide us with copies of the reports made by the social worker and the child psychiatrist at ito ay didinigin ng husgado bukas, Biyernes. Depende kung ano ang nakalagay sa reports, then we will gauge our future actions and decisions kung ano ang nakalagay doon,” he said.

If the reports state safeguards for the eventual resumption of Yap’s visitation rights over Bimby, Chavez said then they will respect the court’s decision.

“If the report says that there is basis for us to [appeal the PPO for Bimby], we will do that. We will be remiss in our duty as counsel if we will just let these things pass by. Kapag may sinabi sa report that the visitation of the father will cause more harm than good, then we will call the attention of our client and let her decide,” he said.

While Yap’s lawyer Lorna Kapunan said the denial of the PPO for Bimby means Yap can now see his son, Chavez said he doesn’t see the reunion of father and son happening in the near future.

“It is not going to happen tomorrow, more so on Sunday because they prefer to see him on Sunday. That would be a modification without basis of the visitation rights, which only speak of Wednesdays and Fridays, never Sundays. Sunday is family day and James is out of the family,” he said.

Chavez said they have to know the “safeguards” first, which will be the topic of the hearing this Friday.

According to Chavez, Yap will see Bimby “in the fullness of time” but it should be done the right way. He added it was never Aquino’s intention to keep Bimby away from his father.

“Kapag ini-rollback mo ang time, from the beginning, hindi ipinagdadamot ni Kris ang pagkikita ng ama at anak. Medyo napuno lang siya, nagalit lang siya na 'yung sa sanctity ng kanyang private room, pati iyon ay sinugod ni Mr. James Yap. Doon na siya nagalit, sobra na iyon. Wala na namang romantic illusion na mangyayari, why force the issue?” he said.

He said the particular incident was witnessed by Bimby and thus, “the issue regarding whether or not he can visit his son is not yet resolved with finality.”

Chavez said Aquino was satisfied that the court granted the PPO she filed for her self because it means the court believed her testimony.

“Nagkaroon ng vindication si Kris dahil hindi ni-reject ng court ang kanyang testimony. Pinaniwalaan siya ng husgado kaya siya nabigyan ng PPO. It is as simple as ABC. I don’t know why some people don’t understand,” he said.