MANILA—Actress Kris Aquino claimed on Tuesday that former business partner Nicko Falcis is being used by “bigger political powers,” a day after an audio recording of their phone conversation wherein she admittedly made threats went viral online.

In a half-hour live video broadcast across her social media channels, Aquino apologized for the words she used in the recording, but questioned the timing of its release.

“It’s now January 2019. He waited 110 days. Kung grave threats talaga ’yon, the very next day, sana kinasuhan mo na ako,” she said, referring to Falcis.

Addressing the fact that Falcis was in another country at the time of the phone call, and thus was unable to formalize a complaint, Aquino added: “The lawyers said all he had to do was file an affidavit. He did not. How credible is that? It is obviously a mere afterthought, after several motions filed by his lawyers to delay his criminal cases [were denied].”

Aquino has accused Falcis of theft amounting to P1.27 million, allegedly as he made personal purchases using a credit card she had entrusted him for transactions involving the actress’ eponymous production company.

Falcis denied this, saying the credit card was only used for business expenses which Aquino was supposedly well aware of. He has said Aquino’s charges against him were her “vindictive” means of crippling him after he expressed wanting to leave her company, and refused to sign a quitclaim and non-disclosure agreement.

Recalling her phone call with Falcis, Aquino said on Tuesday: “Nagkamali ako sa simula, and inaamin ko ‘yon, and I apologize. Nagkamali ako dahil sa tindi ng galit ko, dahil noong panahon na ‘yon — I’ll put everything into context — my son was breaking down, because he knew kung gaano ka-serious ang autoimmune disease. He knew also kung gaano katindi ang allergies ng nanay niya, that’s why we came here para malaman natin kung may chance ba para malabanan pa. If you see your 11-year-old son breaking down, hindi ka ba magagalit?”

Aquino, who was referring to Bimby, her only child with former husband James Yap, has time and again blamed Falcis for “taking me away from my sons” as their feud supposedly triggered the symptoms of her autoimmune disease.

Aquino also has an older son, Josh.

“Why am I blaming it on him? Because six months prior to that, I was OK. Do the research. Autoimmune can stay dormant, but any stressful situation, lalabas ‘yan. Kahit sinong doktor, sasabihin ‘yan. Kung galit ako, karapatan ko ‘yon, kasi buhay ko ang kinuha niya,” she said.

Alleging that the recording was edited, Aquino repeated the lines she said were cut from the audio that circulated: “You stole my money. It’s not enough for you. You also stole my life, and now you’re stealing me from my children.”

“This man was in my life for one year. This happened to me,” she said, after pointing out that she had long-term business relationships with her former managers, as well as her former home network ABS-CBN, and did not once have an issue with money.

Aquino, in her live broadcast, also read text messages she sent her sisters where she apologized for the latest controversy to beset their family, and asked them to look after her sons in light of her health condition.

A portion of one of the messages pertained to the supposed involvement of political personalities, who she said were out to smear her name ahead of her possible bid for the 2022 elections.

“Hindi po ako magpapangalan. But this has to do with 2022. Alam ko naman, sila ang pumupondo doon sa trolls, sila ang pumupondo doon sa machinery now backing Nicko.

“Hindi nila nage-get, I’m not healthy enough for 2022, but let’s be honest . . . Sa ginawa niyo sa’kin, magpapalakas ako. Maghanda kayo. Magpapalakas talaga ako. The Falcis family don’t realize they are just pawns. They are expendable, being used by bigger political powers,” Aquino said.

Aquino, who was in Singapore for medical treatment during the live broadcast, also read a part of her latest diagnosis, enumerating several medications she was found to have “severe” allergy to, and thus can no longer take despite illnesses she may need them for.

“Natanggap na. Natanggap na this is life. I realize God blessed me kasi I’m here, na-afford ito, kinayang bayaran lahat ng bills to find out what’s wrong,” she said.

Switching to a more positive tune, she went on: “Through it all, binato na lahat sa’kin, pinamukha nang ako ang pinaka masamang tao sa mundo, and yet meron pa ring sa inyo who stuck to your guns, and said, ‘We still love you.’ Walang kasing suwerte ko.”

“Mom, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry Ate Pinky and Viel had to go through this,” she said, addressing the late former President Corazon Aquino.

Aquino is the youngest of five siblings. Her only brother is former President Benigno Aquino III. Their father is the slain former senator Ninoy Aquino.

“You did not fail in bringing us up, because at almost 48 years old, your bunso is learning. She’s learning to take responsibility for her mistakes and her actions. Life will move on, I don’t know for how long, but I’m not counting the days. E-enjoy-in ko

“Whatever the future holds, I think you can see, Kris is back. And she’s a better Kris. Because now she knows who to trust, who to get rid off — not rid na pa-execute! Klaruhin lang natin! Baka kung ano naman ma-attribute niyo sa’kin,” she said, laughing.

Concluding her broadcast, Aquino addressed her social media followers, as well as celebrities and partner companies who assured her of their support amid the controversy.

“I want to say thank you again. At the very worst, when you only heard their side, you still believed in me. I apologize that I let anger get the better of me. But it’s not going to happen again. Kasi now I know, hindi na sa phone, diretso na,” she said, in jest, laughing.