BOOTS ANSON-ROA DEFENDS SUSAN April 21, 2004 A natural instinct of Filipina women to defend her honor could be the only reason why actress Susan Roces, wife of Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr., impulsively threw a punch at a city councilor during a recent campaign sortie in Roxas City, Capiz. Despite this opinion about the Roxas City incident, KNP senatorial bet Boots Anson-Roa stressed that she strongly believes that close friend Susan neither acted violently nor punched Councilor Allan Celino, saying that such demeanor is farthest Susan's true behavior. "I've never known Susan to be that aggressive except when playing such role on film. Gentle but a fighter for the right of Filipino women, considerate without giving up self-esteem, those are her true colors," Boots said. Herself a multi-awarded actress, Boots stressed that even granting that the accusation against Susan is true, there could have been a strong reason for her to behave that way. "If it is true that Councilor Celino was not aware his gentlemanly instinct malfunctioned during that episode, the blame should not be thrown at Susan for having a sharp instinct of defending her honor and her being a Filipina," said Boots. The opposition senatorial bet appealed for an end to the controversy. "It is enough that Celino admitted that the incident arose from a misunderstanding. Politicians who have been exploiting the incident for their selfish interest do not deserve public support because they have shown how little they know a woman's honor and being a gentleman," said Anson-Roa, a multi-awarded actress who has made her mark as an advocate for the welfare of the Filipino family.