A DPP lawmaker's wife volunteered to act as his assistant for the second day yesterday because her husband is on a trip to China with a female aide.
Lu Pei-ying (呂珮茵), wife of DPP lawmaker Cheng Yu-chen (鄭余鎮), has appeared in her husband's legislative office for two days in row, saying she wanted to help serve his constituents.
Her appearance is seen as an effort to consolidate her first-wife status, as Cheng is allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with a female assistant, Wang Hsiao-chang (
The latter two are visiting China on business and Lu conceded that she doesn't know when her husband will return home.
"I'm here to help serve Cheng's supporters," Lu told reporters. "No one asked me to do so. I made the decision myself." She has been married to Cheng for 30 years.
Asked to comment on her husband's reported extramarital affairs, Lu said Cheng has no obligation to tell her everything.
The rumored affair surfaced months ago when Cheng hired Wang as his office's chief convener. Wang, an actress-turned politician, is no stranger to the media. In 1999, her widely reported romance with then presidential secretary-general, John Chang (章孝嚴), put a disgraceful temporary halt to the latter's political career.
Last December, Wang sought unsuccessfully to win a legislative seat representing Taipei City. Since she started working for Cheng, Wang has accompanied her boss in attending all public functions.
Earlier, she made Cheng redecorate his office, erecting a wall to separate his room from that of other aides. Wang shares the plush office with her boss.
An angry aide remarked on condition of anonymity that "it seems Wang has put Cheng under a spell. The lawmaker is so attached to her that even his wife and son cannot locate him except through Wang."
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