MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - High-profile couple Kris Aquino and professional basketball player James Yap are going through a tough time again, and their latest marital problem could be the most serious incident, a close friend of the controversial actress-television host confirmed. 

It was on June 16 when Kris first admitted in public through her Twitter page that she and Yap, B-Meg Derby Ace’s (formerly Purefoods) star player, had a “big misunderstanding.”

Stress and long hours spent during the campaign period took a toll on their relationship, Kris, the lead star of ABS-CBN primetime soap opera “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo," said.

Six days after her tweet, which spawned numerous speculations, the couple has yet to solve their issues.

On Tuesday, Kris failed to lead the distribution of school supplies to students of Don Vicente Rama Memorial School in Barangay Basak, Cebu City due to her marital problems.

This was confirmed by Boy Abunda, Kris’s close friend, who participated in the “gift-giving” of school supplies in Cebu.

"They are not okay yet. So dito tayo nanggagaling. So, kagabi 'yong narinig ko na nagkaroon ng problema na may kinalaman nga sa kanyang marriage ay hindi na ako nagtanong," Abunda said.

He added: "Itong nangyari ngayong araw na ito delivers to me a different message na may pinagdadaanang seryoso ang aking kaibigan."

The distribution of school supplies in Cebu was supposedly an important event for Kris because she promised to go back to the area once the elections were over, reports said. Kris’s brother, President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, had garnered high votes in the province.

Kris, James still share same house

Abunda said he doesn’t know where this would lead, but he stressed that the 2 are still very much together.

"They did try. They were trying. I would speak on behalf of Kris, bilang kaibigan, bilang kapatid, ginawa at patuloy na ginagawa ni Kris ang lahat to save the marriage," Abunda added.

He appealed for understanding for Kris’s failure to show up in Cebu. He also asked the public to pray for the couple as they go through this difficult stage.

"There have been a series of life-altering events in my life this past year - from our mother's death to my brother's election and now my moving in a different direction as far as my career is concerned. Lastly, there is the state of my marriage. I would like to say that where I am now is a result of many months of fortitude and in the last couple of months, careful thought. My sole priority is the well being of my sons, Josh and Bimby," her official statement, released Tuesday evening on "SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon," read.

Abunda’s wish is for his friend to be happy and have a quiet life as she embarks on a new stage of her life with the upcoming inaugural of Noynoy.

Kris will also have new shows on ABS-CBN when she leaves her 2 popular celebrity talk shows, “The Buzz” and “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon.”

Marital woes

This is not the first controversy to hound Kris and Yap’s almost 5-year marriage.

Kris made headlines early this year when she allegedly confronted a woman rumored to be Yap’s girlfriend. The incident had forced Kris to move out of their home, only to return days later.

In 2007, they went through a rough patch after Yap was rumored to have had a romantic affair with Hope Centeno, one of the receptionists at the Belo Medical Clinic.

In both instances, Yap denied the speculations.

When sought for comment about Abunda's statements on Tuesday, Yap expressed surprise over it.

He, however, declined to confirm the reported rift, saying he is leaving it up to his wife to issue a statement.

Silence on Twitter

Meanwhile, Kris announced that she would no longer update her Twitter page so as to keep “what is left of our privacy” and avoid controversies that might affect Noynoy.

She tweeted: “I received this tweet several days ago- bakit hindi nyo minemention si james sa mga tweet nyo, only josh & baby james? I replied to it w/ honesty. My attention was called by Noy about this. So in the interest of keeping what is left of our privacy- I will suspend being active on twitter.”

“It doesn't make sense for me to leave SNN & Buzz & keep this avenue open for people to speculate & judge. Sometimes being quiet (obviously difficult for me) is the only prudent course when u r the sister of the country's president elect. Thanks to all who followed my tweets,” she added. Reports from Jing Castañeda and Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News