Only on OMG! - James Yap fights back

James Yap is under the scrutiny of the media again. But unlike before, the PBA cager is speaking up and fighting back.

When news of his ex-wife Kris Aquino's filing of temporary protection order made headlines, James was shocked - surprised with the turn of events.

Read related story: Court grants Kris’ TPO petition against James

"Nalulungkot ako kasi sa mga lumalabas na balita and nasasaktan talaga ako dahil naa-accuse ako ng ano bang term dun, parang rape? Medyo hindi ko matanggap," he confessed in an exclusive interview with Yahoo! Philippines OMG! at the Kapunan, Garcia & Castillo law offices at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City Taguig on Wednesday, March 20.

His newfound mission is to fight for his right as a father to Bimby and to break his son's misconceptions about him - a feat, James admits is very difficult to achieve.

"Ang akin lang naman, ipaglaban ko yung anak ko. Gusto ko lang makasama yung anak ko. Ayoko lang na i-deprive sa 'kin yung anak ko. Ayoko rin ng sinisiraan ako. Sinasabihan na ako ng anak ko 'I don't like you, I hate you. You're a liar' so parang as a father naiiyak nga ako eh. Naiiyak nga ako talaga."

Fighting back

James swears that he tried and did his very best just to be close to his son Bimby.

"Actually hindi ko rin alam kung bakit niya (Kris) ginagawa ito. Ginawa ko naman yung effort ko na mapalapit sa 'kin yung anak ko. As a father gusto ko rin maka close yung anak namin even if yung mom and dad niya hiwalay na. At least ipa-feel namin na love na love namin siya. Hindi ko alam bakit sinisiraan niya ako sa anak ko."

He also gave his own version of what allegedly, really happened on that fateful day last year. The "attempted seduction" James insists, did not ever happen.

"Nagulat talaga ako sa lumbas na balita. Wala talagang nangyari. Before that (the incident) nagbibiruan naman kami, nagjojoke kami so hindi ko talaga ineexpect na hinawakan ko lang siya sa braso nagreact na agad siya na sinasaktan ko siya. Bago mangyari yun (hinawakan ko braso niya), magpapaalam na sana ako kay Bimby na 'Aalis na si papa, kiss mo na si papa'. Ayaw ni Bimby so nag-joke ako na, 'Pag di mo ko i-kiss, kiss ko Mama mo'. Tapos 'nung ayaw talaga nung bata, sinabi ko na, 'Oh Bimb look oh' tapos hinawakan ko sa braso (si Kris) tapos nag-react agad (si Kris) na 'Ay sinasaktan mo ako!', tapos pinapakita niya talaga sa bata na parang sinasaktan ko siya."

James also discussed the visitation rights issue. The PBA player adds that he always tries to see his son but was not given the opportunity to do so.

Alam mo tumatawag ako sa yaya. 'San kayo?' 'Ay, dito kami sa shoot.' The next day 'San kayo?' Ay may pinuntahan po kami ni madam' then the next day ulit 'San kayo?' 'Ah nasa playdate po kami'. Gusto ko lang ipaglaban yung anak ko. Ano man ang mangyari sa 'kin, sa career ko basta alam ng anak ko na pinaglaban ko siya. Gusto ko lang siya makasama."

On money issues

Early this year, Kris Aquino turned to Twitter to express her dismay over receiving hate tweets from James Yap's fans. Her tweet which said, "Fans of my ex are anonymously bombarding me with hate tweets. How sad for them they haven’t moved on. With the millions he got from me and I wish they’d just let me have peace. Di ko kaya ginugulo, I more than 'paid' for my peace already. Don’t dare me to name the amount because then everyone will know why I’m so afraid of being used again, because si Josh and Bimb ang nabawasan ang savings for their future."

And through this all, James kept his silence - but not anymore.

"Yun nga nasasaktan din ako sa ganun. Gusto ko lang klaruhin na kung ano man yung napunta sa 'kin, kagustuhan ni Kris 'yan. Example tatawag siya ngayon sasabihin niya 'Ito na lang sa 'yo'. Sasabihin kong 'Okay na yan.' Tapos the next day tatawag 'Ay hindi pala ito na lang mapupunta sa 'yo'. Ako naman 'Sige okay na 'yan para matapos na'. Nagulat na lang ako na ganun yung pinapalabas niya na talagang pera? Pera ang habol ko?" he said.

James added that he has already moved on. In fact, he confirms reports that he is dating anew.

"Honestly naka-move on  na ako eh. May dine-date ako ngayon. Naka-move on na ako. Hindi ko alam sa kanya. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ginagawa niya 'to sa anak ko na sinisiraan ako."

Also read: James Yap Hints At New Girl In Life, Keeps Mum On 'Check' Issue

The media frenzy is something James Yap has been trying to avoid by being silent. If given the chance, James prefers a resolution far from the eyes of the media but he said he's now left with no other choice.

"Ito talaga yung iniiwasang kong mangyari. Kaya hindi ako nagsasalita kasi ayoko nung pagsabihan kami ng anak namin paglaki na 'Ano ba kayo, bakit kayo naggaganito? Bakit kayo nagbabangayan sa TV? Hindi ba pwedeng pag-usapan na lang?' Yun yung lagi kong ina-avoid. Pero wala akong choice. Kailangan ko nang maglabas ng nararamdaman ko."

His message to his son Bimby is short yet meaningful.

"Bimby, pinaglalaban lang ni Papa mo ang karapatan niya. Prino-prove ko sa 'yo na mahal na mahal kita."

Their 'counter deposition'

Atty. Sonya Margarita Benemerito-Castillo of Kapunan, Garcia & Castillo law offices revealed how they will deal with Kris Aquino's most recent petition.

"It's really difficult to talk about what course of action but right now they filed the case so we're supposed to file our answer to it. We call it counter deposition and then attend the hearing so yun na muna for now. We're hoping na hindi na umabot sa trial. As lawyers we're hoping that in the first scheduled hearing the two parties can talk about things and if they want to revise the agreement on visitation eh di 'yun na lang ang gawin instead of having this. There's really no basis for the petition."

Atty. Castillo also gave her comment on Kris Aquino's allegations.

"All not true. All lies I'm sorry but they are all lies."

See Kris Aquino's side of the story here.