Hsieh offered the apology at a morning press meeting in Taipei for what Chuang said against Ma Ho-ling, the Kuomintang candidate’s father, at a Democratic Progressive Party campaign rally in Taichung Sunday.

Though Chuang isn’t a DPP member nor on his campaign staff, the standard-bearer of the ruling party said, “I feel it’s only proper for me to apologize, because he spoke at our rally.”

Chuang charged the elder Ma with “customizing prostitutes” while appearing like a decent gentleman. For the slander he resigned his number four post in the education ministry.

“I accepted the apology,” Ma said, “and I hope no such thing will be repeated in the future.”

He refused comment on Chuang, who said he had no regret for what he said.

“Let the public pass judgment (on Chuang),” Ma said.