A broken-off engagement during love month is difficult, but it seems Dominic Roque’s is tougher than most people’s.
After the actor and his ex-fiance Bea Alonzo publicly announced the amicable end to their engagement on Feb. 11, rumors continued to hound Roque. After facing frenzied speculation behind the decision, Roque is shutting down allegations that his friends are his sugar daddies.
Dapitan Mayor Bullet Jalosjos and Quezon City 4th District Congressman Bong Suntay set the record straight on Jay Ruiz Talks. In the interview, both of them denied the sugaring rumor and called out entertainment insiders stirring it. The rumors claim that Jalosjos bought a condominium unit for Roque while Suntay gave him a gas station.
“Clarify ko lang, actually ‘yung condo totoong akin talaga ‘yon,” said Jalosjos. “Ginawa ko siyang Airbnb. Syempre, as a friend, barkada, si Dom, asked me if I want to have it rented. Natawa na nga lang ako bakit tumalon ‘yung issue sa business na binahay na.”
Jalosjos added that he and Roque made an agreement in which the actor would fix the condominium unit and pay only 50 percent of the rent. Roque’s been renting the place for three years.
Cleanfuel president and CEO Suntay also cleared the rumored gas station gift, clarifying that Roque is just their brand ambassador. “As early as five years ago, talagang brand ambassador na si Dominic. Ang nakakagulat nga, ‘yung pinost pa nilang picture, ‘yung contract signing namin ni Dom,” he said.
The pair said they’ve all been friends for more than 10 years and that their friendship started with their shared love for motorcycle and car rides and races. Also part of their friend group called Euro Monkeys are Dingdong Dantes, Richard Gutierrez, and Kim Atienza.
“Sana naman itong mga nagkakalat, claiming they are mga batikang journalist, sana naman ingat ingat rin. They have responsibility to the people dapat fact-finding. Hindi ‘yung nalaman nila nasa pangalan ko ‘yung condo sugar daddy nako bigla,” said Jalosjos, admonishing showbiz insiders who made and spread the claims.
“Naawa rin kami kay Dom. Affected na nga ‘yung tao sa breakup ili-link pa kami sa kaniya. Kami pinagtatawanan lang talaga namin pero at some point kailangan talagang tumigil and I think these people have to be reprimanded. Kailangan may consequences, may batas tayo,” he asserted. “Nakakapagtaka na umabot sa ganito at genders na namin ang pinagkakaguluhan ng marami.”
Similarly, Roque and Alonzo have reproached the rumor-mongering. “Unfortunately, some even confirmed our breakup without our consent,” they said in their joint statement. “Some created ridiculous stories that had no basis and were utterly false, so we felt the need to share this announcement with great sadness for our peace of mind and our families.”
“We kindly request to give us the privacy we need as we navigate our future lives with respect, kindness, compassion, and dignity. Thank you for your understanding and support,” they added.
Perhaps nipping this sugar daddy rumor in the bud will bring an end to speculations on Roque’s relationships—at least for now.
Photos from Dominic Roque’s Instagram and screen capped from Jay Ruiz Talks
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