Sunshine Cruz was reunited with her three minor daughters on Thursday after not seeing them for more than two weeks.
The actress was happy to bring home Isabelle, Franceska and Samantha at the conclusion of the second of two hearings at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court where she faced off with her estranged husband Cesar Montano.
“Pareho kaming masaya,” she told reporters after the hearing for her petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami dahil mabuti ‘yung judge na napuntahan. ‘Yun lang po,” Montano said. He did not elaborate, citing the court’s gag order on the couple.
Earlier, Cruz and her attorney, Bonifacio Alentajan, looked upset after leaving QCRTC Branch 78 where her petition for a permanent protection order against Montano, whom she left early this year after over 12 years of marriage.
“Bastos talaga!” Atty. Alentajan hissed, referring to Montano.
Cruz, who had filed a charge of rape, physical and verbal abuse against Montano on Tuesday, shared her displeasure over his request that they both smile for the cameras as they were leaving Branch 78.
“E bago nga ako lumabas sabi niya mag-smile daw kami. E nagwawala siya doon sa ano [courtroom]. Marami siyang sinasabi,” she told News5 and other media.
Cruz said she had last seen her three minor daughters when she let them visit Montano on July 29 and he had refused to send them back to her since.
After the PPO hearing, both parties moved over to Branch 107 located at the third floor of the QCRTC for the hearing on her petition for a writ of habeas corpus, her bid to force Montano to show her their daughters.
Montano ushered his daughters on the way up to Branch 107, shielding their faces from the media. They almost fell because the place was too crowded.
After over two hours, Cruz appeared very pleased as she left the court with her daughters
“It was for the best of the children, the happiness of the children. We are happy with that,” Atty. Alentajan said.
Meanwhile, Montano’s attorney, Joel Ferrer, took the opportunity to tell reporters that the three daughters had already said they prefer to stay with their father. He added, however, that Montano would gladly share custody of the girls with their mother.
Atty. Ferrer said the court will decide on the custody case in October.
