One of basketball player James Yap's lawyers, Sonya Margarita Benemerito-Castillo, refuted allegations that their client is demanding high-priced properties from his estranged wife Kris Aquino in exchange for his approval of her petition to declare their marriage null and void.

“Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ito, but we've observed that there are some attempts...siguro PR (public relations) move 'yan, on the side of Ms. Aquino na ilabas 'tong mga ito. We can only guess kung 'yon nga ang nangyayari. But there are some misleading reports and information na hindi naman totoo,” Atty. Castillo told Philippine Entertainment Portal.

Rumors have it that James is setting his sights on acquiring these properties: their unit in One Roxas Triangle, as well as their other condo unit---both in Makati City; plus the 3,000 square meters farm lot they bought in San Mateo, Rizal. He is also rumored to be coveting their son Baby James’ education and trust funds, and their luxury cars.

There are also reports alleging that James is demanding P80 million from Kris. His chief legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, already disproved it in previous interviews, maintaining that he is not running after his wife’s money.

Atty. Castillo deemed the property rumors “unfair,” saying that if the cager indeed demanded that much, he should’ve mentioned it during their meeting.

“Hindi nga niya alam kung hihingi ba siya o may hihingin ba siya. He doesn't even know his rights! Kailangan pa namin siyang kausapin para lang ma-explain sa kanya na under the law, ganito, pero puwede rin namang ganito,” she said.

She noted that they have not discussed matters pertaining to properties because they were focused on preparing their answer to Kris’ nullification petition which they are required to submit on Aug. 26.

“We have not really sat down with him and discussed, especially on issues on 'Ano ba, tama ba 'tong sinasabi niya [Kris]?' Hindi pa po namin nagagawa 'yan. Pero natanong na rin naman namin 'yan, 'O, kung saka-sakali itong properties na naka-enumerate dito, alin ba 'yong gusto mo dito?' Ang parati lang niyang sinasagot, 'Kung ano lang po 'yong tama, Attorney. Hindi ko po alam, kung ano lang ang tama,'” Atty. Castillo related.

She clarified that they (James’ lawyers) are not intentionally pushing for a 50-50 division of the estranged couple’s properties (their combined earnings are said to amount to over P300 million pesos), saying that they are only working in accordance with what is in the law.

“We're just citing kung ano 'yong sinasabi ng batas and ang presumption ng law sa kasal sila.At ano ang sinasabi pag kasal? Pag kasal kayo at naghiwalay, nag-annul, di ba, ang mangyayari kung wala kayong pre-nup, wala kayong ibang agreement sa hatian, 50-50 ang sharing… regardless kung sino ang kumita at hindi kumita at nag-contribute at hindi nag-contribute."

Atty. Castillo added that as a married couple, the presumption is that they are co-owners of the properties.

Nevertheless, she hopes that “both parties would come to an agreement na hindi masyadong ma-complicate 'yong case.”

Meanwhile, Atty. Castillo defended her client from rumors alleging that he was late during his first visit to Baby James after he was granted the visitation rights to his son by the Makati Regional Trial Court.

After the Aug. 20 visitation hearing, the lawyer said they still had to meet with their client to discuss more about the nullification case as he was leaving for the US on Aug. 22. She said she suggested James to visit his son before their meeting. However, she recalled James telling her, “Attorney, mas maganda pagpunta ko dun, hindi na ako aalis.” The basketball star reportedly arrived at their One Roxas home at 8 p.m.