Though basketball player James Yap has insisted several times that he wants to spend more time with his son Bimby, his ex-wife, actress Kris Aquino, says that his actions speak otherwise.

“The truth is, kung hinahanap niya, e, ‘di sana matagal na silang nagba-bonding (The truth is, if he’s looking to spend time with his son, then they could have been bonding for a long time now),” she was quoted by PEP.ph as telling members of the media on June 18, adding that she wasn’t able to contact her estranged husband to ask if he wanted to spend time with Bimby on June 16, Father’s Day.

“I texted eight in the morning the lawyers and I said na, ‘How is it best to contact [James]?’ I didn’t get a reply ‘til 4:45 PM, at sinabi sa akin na, ‘Sorry.’ Hindi daw nila ma-contact si Mr. Yap… pero subukan ko na lang daw tumawag,” she said. “So, honestly, huwag naman akong gawing kontrabida. I did my share… at eight in the morning (I texted the lawyers at eight in the morning, and I said, ‘What's the best way to contact James? I didn’t get a reply until 4:45 P.M., and they told me, ‘Sorry.’ They can’t contact Mr. Yap… but I can try calling. So, honestly, please don’t make me the villain. I did my share… at eight in the morning!)!”

Still, no matter how awry her relationship with James has become, she still insisted that she never wanted to deprive her son of his father’s presence.

“Walang nanay ang napakawalang hiya na ide-deprive niya ang anak niya of a father, lalo na kung buhay iyong tatay na iyon, kasi I know what it’s like to grow up with no dad,” she said. “Pero be responsible naman. Hindi naman iyong parang dinemand mo lang at kung kelan convenient sa ’yo (No mother would want to deprive her child of a father, especially if the father is still alive because I know what it’s like to grow up with no dad. But please be responsible. Don’t just demand for him whenever it’s convenient for you.).”

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)