Sotto family closer after RH controversy

Danica Sotto and her cousin Ciara Sotto

MANILA, Philippines -- Danica Sotto defended her cousin Ciara Sotto who became a target of online ridicule because of her father, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto.

For months now, Sotto continues to draw criticisms for allegedly plagiarizing parts of his speech against the reproductive health (RH) bill and for his part in the controversial anti-cybercrime law.

"Noong una kasi si Ate (Ciara) hindi agad agad magsalita. Dinally noong nagkita kami, sabi niya, 'Girl, pray for me.' Sabi niya minsan ang sakit na talaga nang nangyayari," the daughter of veteran comedian Vic Sotto, said in an interview on "KrisTV" on Thursday.

"Okay lang kasi na mag-react ang tao ng hindi maganda kasi kanya-kanyang opinion and we respect that. Kaya lang minsan tina-tag pa sa kanya 'yung wala ng koneksyon. Kunwari sa Instagram, may thread doon na hindi naman alam ng iba ay nakikisawsaw na lang din," Danica said.

"Pati 'yung sa pole dancing, pati 'yun binigyan ng malisya. Pinaka-napikon ako noong may humirit na 'ang lakas mong magsalita ikaw nga nagpo-pole dancing ka.' What's wrong with pole dancing? So 'yun na nga, pinagpi-pray na lang namin ang isa't isa or I'll just tell her na hayaan mo na lang si God, let Him deal with it na lang kasi hahaba lang," she added.

After months of facing bashers and critics, Ciara said she and her family are now getting used to it.

"Parang nasanay na kami now. When she (Danica) started reading din, sabi niya nakaka-stress pala. Lalo na 'yung dad namin magkapatid. Minsan may tira sa dad niya, naapektuhan din siya. So nare-realize namin talaga na okay 'yung support group namin, kaming magpi-pinsan," Ciara said.

For Danica, she acknowledged that the men in their family like brother Oyo are more patient in dealing with bashers.

"Actually na-appreciate ko yung sinabi ni Oyo sa amin, kasi baligtad. 'Yung mga boys sa amin, sila yung pu! mipigil. 'Huwag na lang kayong magbasa or just don't say anything,'" Danica said.

"Kasi noong una, nagre-react siya (Ciara) so sabi namin it's not wise to reply na kasi humahaba din.Then my brother (Oyo) said, 'Hindi ba ate kapag may mga challenges na ganyan minsan hinahayaan din ni God na pagdaanan natin para mayroon din tayong matutunan?' Siguro para mas mag-strengthen yung bond namin or we learn from each other," Danica related.