Talent manager Becky Aguila's aide, Mel Pulmano, was named by some spreadsheets last week as the one who supposedly stole Jennylyn Mercado's money—cash amounting to more than a million. (read related story )
Yesterday, October 25, 2008, Mel finally spoke up in an interview with Startalk.
Mel related that last October 6, a conversation between her and Becky revolved around Becky giving Mel some advice in combating insomnia, which beset Mel. Becky recommended the popular drug Valium. And so, the sleepless Mel, took some.
According to Mel, she slept like a log after taking the drug. On October 8, Wednesday, she was rushed by relatives to two hospitals but was not admitted due to lack of money. It was only on Friday, October 9, that she was admitted to the third hospital—where she finally woke up.
Based on Mel's story, she was asleep from October 6 to 9. Due to her four-day absence, Mel didn't get any work done, including the issuing of checks. By this time, news about Mel started popping up in the papers. Last October 12, Mel agreed to be interview by Startalk to deny the accusation thrown at her.
"Simula nung nag-artista si Jennylyn, si Tita Becky na ang may hawak ng pera ni Jen," Mel said. "Tapos, kahit ano doon, e, walang wini-withdraw si Jen...si Tita Becky lang nagwi-withdraw doon. ‘Tapos kung ano ang kailangan ni Jennylyn, e, ibinibigay sa akin ni Tita Becky, ‘tapos ibinibigay ko na kay Jen."
Mel added that Becky also worked hard to get Jennylyn's house that was for sale in the Batasan area.
"Binigyan lang si Jen ng, noong una, five hundred thousand. Kailangan... bilhin na, kasi dapat unahan na ang GMA na nag-aalok ng 3 million o 4 million yata. ‘Tapos 'pag binigyan daw pera si Jen, e, hindi na tatanggapin ang alok ng GMA."
According to Mel, she announced that she was leaving Becky when the time came that Becky no longer had any money to shell out to her employees. "Wala nang pasuweldo," said Mel. "'Tapos gusto niya, ako lang daw maiwan... mayroon pa kasi akong mga tseke ko kaya sabi ko sa kanya na pondohan niya na."
PRESSURED. Mel said that Jennylyn Mercado was the only talent left that was stagnant, so, the pressure was on for Mel.
"Wala naman daw pinapasok na pera si Jen kaya dapat hanapan daw ng trabaho at alisin daw lahat ng nakapaligid kay Jen," said Mel. "Si Tita Lydia [Jennylyn's aunt and adoptive mother], alam na gusto tanggalin ni Becky ang pagiging nanay niya—kailangan bastusin ni Jen si Tita Lydia, kailangan di respetuhin para mawala na si Tita Lydia."
Mel decided to publicly spill the beans because her name was now on the line and due to the negative write-ups about her. She also disclosed that Becky and her other talent, Angel Locsin, are not in good terms. Mel said that the two are always fighting because of Angel's transfer.
Last October 22, Mel sent text messages to the press, mentioning Becky's two other talents, Valerie Concepcion and Joross Gamboa.
The text message read, "Wala pong katotohanan na nagnakaw po ako. Wala po sa akin at hindi ko rin ginamit ang pera ni Valerie Concepcion. Wala din po sa akin at hindi ko din ginamit ang pera ni Joross Gamboa. Wala din akong ninakaw kay Jennylyn Mercado. Siya pa nga po ang may utang sa akin sa pag-abono sa gastusin niya sa house.
"Isa lang po akong tauhan na sumusunod sa mga pinaguutos. Simple lang ang aking pamumuhay. Ang mga naglalabasan na balita tungkol sa akin ay malinaw na paninirang-puri. At naaawa ako sa mga anak ko na masyadong naapektuhan sa mga ipinalabas sa news. Sasagutin ko po ang lahat ng paratang sa tamang venue. Hindi sa paraan na malisyoso na ginagawa nila. Ang aming attorney ay gumagawa ng mga legal na hakbangin."
Mel, who was now crying, added, "Akala ko mahal niya ako, e. Kasi ako, mahal ko siya. Sumunod naman ako sa lahat ng gusto niya. ‘Tapos hindi niya ako matulungan at gusto niya pa ako makulong...wala nga akong pera, e."
Startalk contacted Becky Aguila to have her say on the issue. But her only reply was a text message saying that her lawyers advised her not to issue any statement.