Pokwang, Lee O’Brian. Images: Instagram/@itspokwang27, Instagram/@leeobrian
Pokwang didn’t hesitate to disprove claims she still has lingering feelings for her estranged partner Lee O’Brian, saying she feels nothing but anger toward him.
The actress-comedienne made the clarification after Jegs Chinel, also known as Tita Jegs, asked if she still loves her ex-partner, as seen in the official YouTube channel of Ogie Diaz’s Showbiz Update last Tuesday, June 13. The ambush interview happened shortly after Pokwang issued a deportation complaint and visa cancellation against O’Brian.
“Ay, no. Iba ‘yung may feelings sa galit, no?” she said in response. “Sabi ko nga sa iyo, wala akong pakialam kung 10 ang girlfriend mo araw-araw. Gawin mo ang obligasyon mo bilang ama, nagawa mo ba? ‘Yun ang tanong.”
(No. Having feelings is different from being angry. I told you, I don’t care if you have 10 girlfriends every day. Just do your obligation as a father. Did you do it? That’s the question.)
Pokwang also pointed out that she chose to file a complaint for O’Brian’s deportation because he “violated” the law, at the same time noting his alleged lack of responsibility as the father to their daughter Malia.
“Kailangan na, it’s about time. Hindi naman [dahil sa] galit ako sa kanya. May na-violate siya sa batas. Kasi tayo ring mga Pilipino, kapag pumupunta tayo sa ibang bansa, dumadaan tayo sa butas ng karayom, diba? Lahat ng pinagdadaanan nating hirap. Parang medyo unfair na ‘yung isang kagaya niya dito ay parang wala lang,” she said.
“Wala namang problema kung magpapaka-ama siya. Kaso hindi eh. Bukod sa hindi na nga niya nagagawa ‘yung [responsibilidad] niya bilang tatay, hindi pa niya nagagawang sundin kung anong batas meron tayo,” she continued.
(We have to do it, it’s about time. It’s not because I’m mad at him. He violated the law. Because us Filipinos have to go through tough rules when we go to other countries. We go through a lot of hardships. But it’s unfair that someone like him doesn’t go through the same thing. There would be no problem if only he is a responsible father. But he isn’t acting like one. Aside from not fulfilling his responsibilities as a dad, he can’t even follow our laws.)
With a firm tone, the “TiktoClock” host then stressed that her ongoing legal battle with her estranged partner is a way to assert her rights as a Filipino woman and Malia’s mother.
“Ako ang nasa bansa ko. Bakit ako ang kailangang mag-adjust—which is wrong. At ginagawa ko naman ito para sa anak ko, sa anak namin, sa kapayapaan ng isip ko, para rin sa mga kababaihan. Sana maintindihan nila one day bakit sobrang ginagawa ko ito,” she said.
(I am in my own country. Why should I be the one to adjust—which is wrong. I’m doing this for my daughter, our daughter, my peace of mind and for women. I hope the public will one day understand why I’m determined to do this.)
Pokwang, along with public interest lawyer Ralph Calinisan, filed a deportation complaint and visa cancellation against her former partner at the Bureau of Immigration office last June 13.
In an interview with entertainment reporters, Pokwang claimed that O’Brian is using a tourist visa even though he’s been in the country for the past eight years.
The former “Banana Split” host has been separated from her ex since 2021, but it was only in July 2022 that their split was made public. Their daughter Malia was born in 2018. /ra