Taiwan's former president Chen Shui-bian has stepped in to defend his daughter as her divorce scandal dominates local headlines.

• Chen Shui-bian publicly thanked his son Chen Chih-chung for standing by sister Chen Hsing-yu and acting as the family's spokesman, crediting him with keeping the family's foundations running during Chen's years in prison.
• He apologized to his children for the political persecution the family endured, saying his son's three failed election runs were even rougher than his own path.
• He softened the message with a jab, warning the nearly-50 son to eat healthier and lose weight so people stop mistaking them for the same age.
• The backdrop is daughter Chen Hsing-yu's messy split from ex-husband Chao Chien-ming, which she aired via a one-star review on his clinic's Google page, alleging affairs and a disputed property and mortgage.
• Chao has stayed silent while his clinic refused reporters and called police; figures like Ko Wen-je weighed in, and some voters now wonder if Chen Hsing-yu might enter politics.

Outlook: The family feud looks set to keep drawing media attention, with speculation growing over whether Chen Hsing-yu will follow her father into public life.