Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 Sharifa Akeel has addressed allegations of having an affair with Maguindanao congressman Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.
Last June, the 52-year-old politico’s wife Mylene “Mai” Aguilar Maligaya Mangudadatu appeared on the TV5 show Raffy Tulfo In Action and accused the 23-year-old beauty queen of being the mistress of her husband, who previously served as the governor of Maguindanao.
“She should be a good example for everyone, lalong lalo na sa sambayanang Filipino at lalo na sa kabataan ng umiidolo sa kanya. But what she is doing right now, having an illicit affair with my husband is not a good example at all! Being a titleholder of an international pageant, parang dapat ba after ng narating mo na, nagkaroon ka ng titulo, meron ka na bang karapatan na mang-agaw ng asawa ng iba at manggulo ng buhay?” an emotional Mylene told host Raffy Tulfo, sharing with him alleged text exchanges between her and Sharifa to back her claims.
“As a woman, hindi po ako papayag na tatapakan… tatapakan ako ng isang beauty queen na nagtatago na mabait daw siya sa harapan ng mga tao, but when we chatted ang dami niyang sinasabi ng masakit na salita. I want you to know, ganito ang pagkatao ng babaeng ito,” she added.
Watch the full interview below:
Apart from airing her complaint about the alleged affair on the show, Mylene had also made public her allegations through her social media accounts, some of which had since gone viral.
On August 28, after two months of silence, Sharifa who gained fame as the first Filipina Muslim to win an international pageant finally addressed the controversy with a lengthy post on her official Facebook page.
While no name was mentioned, her followers were quick to welcome her post as a statement on the allegations.
She wrote: “To Miss Desperada, I am not tearing you down. You are the one bad-mouthing me, right, yet I remained silent after all that you did. I don’t even care about you. I compete with no one. I do what I need to do, if my posts threaten you, that’s your own issue.”
The beauty queen also accused the wife of cyber-bullying her. “Ilang dummy na ba nagawa at nakausap mo? Wag kang magmamatapang sa social media. Yan lang ba kaya mong gawin? Puro paninira na lang? Puro pambubully? Puro pagyayabang? Bakit puro social media ka?? Akala ko ba kakasuhan mo ako?? Wag ka puro salita at pasikat.”
She continued, “If you hate me, hate me alone. Don’t be out there lying about me trying to recruit people to hate me with you. I was born and raised in a poor family setting at hindi ako nagpapanggap, hindi ako umaapak sa estado ng buhay ng iba at higit sa lahat hindi ako nanghahamak ng kapwa.”
Sharifa said she is not to be blamed for the alleged breakdown of her accuser’s marriage.
“Also, I didn’t use anyone to be where I am now. I worked hard for these.. It’s you who did a good job of showing your true colors all on your own. Don’t blame me with your failed marriage and failed life. Blame your attitude that defines WHO YOU ARE right now.
“You feel perfectly entitled to push boundaries, lie and criticize. How dare you shout for women empowerment when you don’t even know how to empower your own. You can never be an idol of women because all you say is TRASH.
“One more thing, NEVER EVER USE ISLAM RELIGION as part of your defense because I know that you are ignorant in it.”
Sharifa also dared that she be sued and taken to court if there’s evidence.
“Again, if you are really brave enough, don’t do the fighting over social media. We have the right place and proper venue to do such.. You really want to see me behind bars then proceed to court and flaunt all your evidence, if there are. Express all your agony, hatred and false accusations in court. I will see you there!”
Meanwhile, as of writing, Rep. Mangudadatu has not reacted on the controversy.
