In the midst of suspicions regarding Senator Francis Escudero and his wife, Heart Evangelista’s, relationship, the actress’s mother, Cecilia Ongpauco, told ABS-CBN News on Thursday that she thinks the pair will overcome any imagined obstacles they have.

“It’s their private life so I am just praying for them,” Ongpauco stated.

“I know they will be OK! I’ve known Chiz to be a mature and grounded person that’s why I am happy for my daughter.”

However, the actress’ mother clarified that she is unaware of the troubles surrounding the couple’s present relationship. “I haven’t talked to anyone,” she insisted.

In Evangelista’s June 2021 vlog, Ongpauco thanked Escudero for her daughter’s support.

“You know what I like about your marriage? You allow each other to grow. You don’t stunt her growth,“ During a cooking session, she told the pair. “You don’t cramp her style. I think that’s what’s good about their marriage. He allows her to grow, mature on her own.” 

Both Escudero and Evangelista have yet to address the matter of marital conflict, which has been simmering since Evangelista removed her married name from her social media profiles in early August.

Despite this, the actress has maintained her position as “wife” in her profile

Evangelista also just posted a vlog in which she stated that she is going through a difficult time in her life.

“I am not gonna deny that I have been going through personal struggles. I feel a lot of pressure in my life. Basically now, I am really in a search for just being happy,”

Evangelista, though, insisted that she remain. “very, very grateful [for] as long as there is life, there is hope.” 

Escudero’s senate office told ABS-CBN News that the senator will not issue a statement.

After a much-publicized struggle and subsequent reconciliation between Escudero and Evangelista’s parents, the pair married in February 2015.