MANILA, Philippines–With a number of showbiz personalities breaking their silence to cry abuse against their husbands, it’s actress Sunshine Cruz’s turn to charge her hubby Cesar Montano with physical and emotional battery at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.
Cruz filed with the city prosecutor’s office a charge of violation of Republic Act 9262 or the anti-violence against women and children’s act of 2004 against Montano, whose real name is Caesar Manhilot, claiming she has been subjected since January this year to physical and psychological abuse by the actor.
She further alleged that Montano has forcibly taken custody of their young daughters and is depriving her access to them.
Montano’s talent manager Shirley Pizarro on Tuesday afternoon said the actor has not formally received a copy of the complaint filed by Cruz and could not issue a statement just yet.
In her nine-page complaint Cruz claimed, “Respondent (Montano) is very domineering, philandering husband that he demanded full submission and obedience from the complainant (Cruz) while he continually prohibits the latter from inquiring on his own affairs. Worse, respondent does not go home and he spends weekends elsewhere. In fact, he presently resides at an address different from that of the complainant and her three minor daughters.”
She alleged that Montano reacts violently through “harsh verbal abuse” to her queries on his activities and that his manner had caused their 13-year marriage to deteriorate. The couple got married on February 2000.
Cruz said that last February, she and daughters, aged 7, 8 and 11, were compelled to leave their home causing the children to be deprived by Montano of support, shelter and means of transportation to school. When she decided to leave with her children, the actress claimed, Montano hit her.
She also alleged that in May, the actor barged into her new home and physically abused her.
“Respondent (Montano) continued and still continues to harass complainant by threatening her with physical harm, obscene accusations and grave defamation,” Cruz alleged, citing a series of angry text messages that Montano allegedly sent her on June 10.
On July 29, the actress said, Montano fetched their three daughters from school without telling her and brought the children to his home. When she asked him to return the kids to her, she claimed Montano “deliberately and forcibly refused.”
Cruz claimed that her husband’s continued custody of their daughters would be prejudicial to their normal growth and development citing Montano’s alleged extra-marital relationship with another woman.
The actress asked the city prosecutor’s office to consider the filing in court of her complaint against Montano.
Cruz had previously sought the issuance of a temporary protection order (TPO) and a subsequent permanent protection order (PPO) from a Quezon City court against Montano but her petition for a TPO was denied. Hearings for the PPO are still ongoing.
Sought for comment earlier, Montano’s lawyer, Joel Ferrer, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a text message that he and his client “Will await the copy of the complaint (for violation of Republic Act 9262) and appropriately answer it.”
He said that the actress had also filed a petition for the issuance of the writ of habeas corpus in a Quezon City court which they will likewise address.
