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Kris Aquino reveals 'betrayal, financial abuse,' enlists help of Florin Hilbay

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ABS-CBN News

<p>Kris Aquino has enlisted the help of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay as she revealed on Tuesday having discovered “financial abuse” and “betrayal” in a number of her business deals.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/entertainment/09/25/20180925-kris-florin.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Actress-host Kris Aquino and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay. <em>Instagram: @krisaquino/FILE</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Aquino, 47, made the announcement through a Facebook video showing Hilbay addressing the actress-host’s millions-strong followers on social media.</p><p>Hilbay gave a testimonial of Aquino’s character, calling her “a hardworking mother, a consistently honest taxpaying Filipino, and a visionary entrepreneur.” He also mentioned the political legacy of Aquino’s parents, slain former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. and the late former President Corazon Aquino.</p><p>Hilbay, who served as Solicitor General for two years during the presidency of Aquino’s brother, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, explained that the actress had sought his counsel on the “best legal options at this time, when financial anomalies in her company have come to light.”</p><p>Aquino only makes a brief appearance in the video, in a clip intercut with Hilbay speaking, showing her apparently in a meeting with the former government official.</p><p>In the video’s caption, she wrote: “I have told you the recently discovered truth regarding the financial abuse, careless disregard for my existing endorsement contracts, and the total lack of respect for me as a business partner.”</p><p>She clarified that the problem does not concern her sole proprietorship company, Kris Cojuangco Aquino Productions (KCAP), which is behind her digital empire, but her other business deals, specifically 14 branches of the movie snacking outlets Nacho Bimby+Potato Corner, and the Thai beauty brand Snail White.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/krisaquino/videos/295055111099677/" data-width="auto"> </div><p>Aquino continued: “This has taken a tremendous toll on my physical and emotional well being. Concerned relatives and friends have told me that it is good that I learned to what extent I have been taken advantage of early enough after 16 months, before more damage could have been done to KCAP’s finances and tax compliance, and the trusted reputation I have worked so hard to establish in the Philippine and Asia-Pacific business communities.</p><p>“But as with all forms of betrayal the devastating pain of lost trust can wound you to the depth of your soul. My sister felt that after speaking to two of our countries most brilliant legal minds — my longtime counsel Attorney Sig Fortun, and former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay — I would start to feel a measure of peace because I am now being guided regarding all necessary legal action and proceedings to gain what is rightfully mine: justice.”</p><p>She did not give further details about the business anomalies, and did not name the person behind the supposed “betrayal.”</p><p>Addressing her followers, Aquino expressed thanks for their “patience in waiting for me,” noting that she is “embarrassingly not presentable” for her online viewers and brand partners after falling physically ill. </p><p>She assured them she will be back “soon,” once she is given medical clearance by her doctors.</p><p>“Please keep me in your prayers as I work hard on the unenviable task of finding the strength to again rebuild and find my courageous warrior within,” she said.</p>

<p>Kris Aquino has enlisted the help of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay as she revealed on Tuesday having discovered “financial abuse” and “betrayal” in a number of her business deals.</p>

Kris Aquino has enlisted the help of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay as she revealed on Tuesday having discovered “financial abuse” and “betrayal” in a number of her business deals.