MANILA -- Mariness "Kim" Ledesma, the rumored "new date" of President Benigno Aquino III, was brief with words in addressing her supposed blooming romance with the bachelor leader.
"Not true. Rumor. Just rumor." This, according to a source close to Ledesma, was the 29-year-old lawyer's reply in a text message to a friend when asked about her supposed romantic ties with 53-year-old Aquino.
The message was forwarded to ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao, which also sought the comment of the woman's father, Atty. Nestor Ledesma, about the alleged relationship of his daughter with the President.
The older Ledesma said he cannot personally deny the rumored romance, as his daughter hasn't told him of anything regarding her love life.
He added he has never seen his daughter on a date with Aquino in Davao, but did not discount the possibility that they are acquainted in some way, noting she works in Manila.
"Hindi ko pa rin na-meet si PNoy (Aquino), but if it will make her happy, we will always support her," Ledesma said.
A cum laude graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University, the younger Ledesma worked at the Department of Transportation and Communications before going full-time at the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Aquino's two elder sisters, Maria Elena "Ballsy" Cruz and Aurora Corazon "Pinky" Abellada, first hinted in a television interview aired in August that the President is "inspired" these days.
The two only affirmed with a laugh when asked if the source of inspiration is a 29-year-old lawyer.
Aside from his daily engagements as the country's top official, Aquino has made headlines time and again for his love life, which often unfold to be short-lived romances with local celebrities.
His last long-term relationship was with Valenzuela City councilor Shalani Soleded, which lasted two years until 2010.
Aquino was then reported to be dating fashion stylist Liz Uy and TV host Grace Lee at different times, before being romantically linked to beauty queen and TV host Bianca Manalo in April. -- with a report from Vina Araneta, ABS-CBN News Southern Mindanao
