Basketball star-turned-PFP Legis-lator Cheng Chih-lung (鄭志龍) yesterday obtained the forgiveness of his wife for his affair with another celebrity legislator, former actress May Chin (高金素梅), and managed to save his marriage from falling apart.
Cheng held a press conference last night in the company of his wife, Lu Tsu-ying (
Though falling short of a direct reference, the statement was considered a tacit confession of his relationship with Chin.
"My family, my wife and my children have been put under tremendous pressure, and I myself feel very sad and regretful," Cheng said.
"As far as this matter is concerned, I have made a comprehensive explanation to my wife and begged for her understanding," Cheng added.
With his wife's forgiveness, Cheng promised to do his best to keep his family together.
The affair was first disclosed by a local cable TV station on Monday. The report quoted a secret witness as saying that Cheng had been seen visiting Chin's residence many times.
Lu faxed a letter to local media Wednesday saying she had confirmed with her husband that Chin was the one involved in the affair. According to Lu, Cheng confessed that the relationship had lasted for more than a month.
Lu also said in the letter that she had asked for a divorce.
At the press conference last night, Lu kept her lips tightly sealed and let Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄), another PFP legislator who had mediated between the couple, speak on her behalf. Lu's eyes turned red as Liu talked to reporters.
According to Liu, Lu felt angry when she saw the report and thought such a matter was "almost unforgivable."
But Lu eventually decided to give Cheng another chance to maintain the family for the sake of their children, as both Cheng and Lu see their family as their top priority, Liu said.
The affair reportedly started in May when the two went to Central America as part of a legislative delegation.
Colleagues who also took part in the tour said yesterday that Chin always sat next to Cheng on the plane and stood next to him when the delegates posed for pictures.
In a statement released yesterday morning, Chin, an independent representing Aborigines, continued to insist that her contacts with Cheng were purely business, as they were working on legislation promoting Aboriginal rights.
Chin said the matter was for Cheng's family to resolve, denying she was involved in an affair with Cheng.
Chin asked Cheng to make a public explanation to restore her reputation
The affair added yet another chapter to the torrid history of Cheng and Chin, both of whom have made headlines before for their involvement in affairs.
During his 12 years of marriage with Lu, Cheng is reported to have had four extra-marital affairs prior to Chin.
As for Chin, who has remained single, she is reported to have been involved in relationships with three other married men.
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