Manila, Jan. 8 -- For years, Tessa Reyes lived behind the image of a quiet military family life: supportive spouse, devoted mother and constant presence in the background of her husband's rising career in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

But in 2024, she stepped out of that silence and into the public eye, determined to speak about the abuse she endured for more than a decade.

Reyes is the wife-or estranged wife-of Col. Ranulfo Sevilla, whose promotion became the center of national attention after she approached the Commission on Appointments (CA) with a plea: do not confirm his promotion.

Her testimony, which detailed years of alleged physical, emotional and financial abuse, prompted the CA to defer Sevilla's promotion, cit...