‘You’re condemning the flawed folks’

Mendoza maintains Atayde’s innocence, and even says her husband’s photograph with the Discayas was ‘taken out of context’

MANILA, Philippines – Maine Mendoza has come to the protection of her husband, Quezon Metropolis 1st District Consultant Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, but once more. 

Atayde continues to obtain public backlash after contractor couple Sarah Discaya and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya expressed their want to behave as state witnesses within the flood management scandal. The Discaya couple named the actor-turned-politician as one of many 17 public officers who allegedly demanded kickbacks from them. 

In a Fb put up on Wednesday, September 10, Mendoza maintained her husband’s innocence, testifying that they’re trustworthy taxpayers who don’t depend on the taxes of the Filipino folks to fund their life-style. 

“Each of us (and our households) are financially able to sustaining the lives that we stay, and it’s personally offensive to be accused of spending cash that we have now rightfully earned outdoors politics. It’s unfair to cut back the whole lot that we’re and the whole lot that we have now labored for to that single narrative,” Mendoza wrote. 

The Eat Bulaga! mainstay stated that if Atayde have been to ever do something dishonest, she “actually wouldn’t defend him and canopy for him.” 

Atayde himself denied the Discayas’ claims in an Instagram story on September 8, saying that he has “by no means dealt” with the contractor couple.

Rappler, nonetheless, obtained and revealed pictures of the Topakk actor posing with Curlee and Sarah. 

An previous photograph from Atayde’s personal Fb web page had additionally resurfaced — exhibiting him a tarpaulin for a P50-million flood venture helmed by Wawao Builders. Atayde has since taken the photograph down.

Wawao Builders had change into one of many high Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contractors beginning 2022. Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan earlier said that they’d preliminary info that among the agency’s flood management initiatives in Bulacan have been ghost initiatives. 

Seemingly alluding to those pictures, Mendoza stated that they have been taken out of context, and requested that the general public not overlook that “notion is just not at all times actuality.” 

“It’s actually distressing to see folks undergo in instances of disaster due to corrupt politicians who put self-interest above all else, alongside their accomplices. Nakakagalit talaga (It truly is infuriating). And we additionally imagine those that are actually responsible ought to face accountability. Once more, the reality will reveal itself in the long run. We will solely hope and pray that the justice system delivers justice to those that deserve it and to whom it’s due. I do know we could also be straightforward targets, however you’re condemning the flawed folks,” the 30-year-old showbiz character continued. 

Mendoza additional added that her husband plans to take authorized motion to clear his identify. 

“Arjo has nothing to cover. He has by no means been responsible of stealing. I’ll finish with this, not all politicians are corrupt — some are simply handy targets. The actual villains are celebrating quietly within the shadows,” Mendoza stated. 

This prolonged assertion comes after the actress made a short put up on X referring to the Discayas’ claims as “baseless allegations,” asking the general public to chorus from spewing hate feedback at Atayde “till details come out.” 

Atayde was reelected as Quezon Metropolis 1st District consultant within the 2025 midterm elections. He tied the knot with Mendoza in 2023. – Rappler.com