No fake news will divide us: Gatchalian reacts to rumors involving partner Bianca Manalo

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 23) — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian took to social media his take on rumors circulating online linking his current girlfriend, former beauty queen Bianca Manalo, to actor Rob Gomez.

"@biancamanalo and I share the same values and principles in life. No fake news will divide us apart," the senator posted on X (formerly Twitter).

With the caption, Gatchalian proudly displayed a gift from Senator Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy Angara, which features photos of him and Manalo.

On social media, Manalo clarified that she and Gomez are just friends, and were only talking about how she wanted to receive the actor's Christmas gifts before her flight.

"It is upsetting that our conversations were exposed without my consent, which is a breach of privacy and the cause of so much online bashing. It is obvious that parts of our conversation were deleted to create malicious insinuations," she said.

In a Dec. 21 post, Gomez also said his phone was taken from him and was used without his consent.

Beauty queen Herlene Budol also took to social media her comment on being in a relationship with Gomez.

“Yung d ako maka focus sa trabaho dahil sa issue ng mag jowa na may anak,” Budol, referring to Gomez’s and his non-showbiz partner, said on X. “Tapos malalaman ko nakaladkad na lang pangalan ko at binabash ako na wala naman akong ginagawa.”

[Translation: When I can’t focus with my work because I was involved in the issue of the couple who has a child. Then, I will find out that my name is being dragged in the issue that I have nothing to do with.]

Budol denied that she is having an affair with Gomez.

“Produkto ako ng broken family. Pinalaki ako ng lolo at lola ko ng maayos,” Budol said. “Indi ako ganung babae sa mga binabatikos sa akin.”

[Translation: I am a product of a broken family. My grandparents raised me well. I am not that kind of woman people are critizing me for.]

She added that the one who spread her conversations with Gomez may face charges for violating the Data Privacy Act, defamation, and cyber libel.