Pokwang and Lee O’Brian with their daughter Malia. Image: Instagram/@leeobrian
Pokwang disclosed that her estranged partner Lee O’Brian filed a motion for voluntary deportation last Jan. 10, as she apologized to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for insinuating that the latter is allegedly affiliated with people in positions in the agency.
On her Instagram last Saturday, Jan. 27, Pokwang shared that O’Brian filed the motion days after claiming that connections allowed the latter to remain in the Philippines despite receiving a deportation order from the BI.
“Nalaman ko noong isang araw na nagfile din ng Motion for Voluntary Deportation si Lee noong January 10, 2024. Wala pa kaming kopya nitong Motion na ito (I found out the other day that Lee filed a motion for voluntary deportation last Jan. 10, 2024. Our camp, however, doesn’t have a copy of the motion),” she wrote.
The actress-comedienne also thanked the BI for their “swift” action against O’Brian, and that the agency’s deportation order reminded her that justice still prevailed.
“Nais ko po sanang magpasalamat sa Bureau of Immigration para sa kanilang mabilis at patas na resolusyon sa aking petisyon na maipadeport si William Lee O’Brian. Masaya ako at ang aking mga anak sa naging desisyon ng BI,” she said. “Buo ang tiwala ko na sa amin pa rin papanig ang hustisya dahil nasa aming panig ang katotohanan.”
(I want to thank the Bureau of Immigration for their swift and fair resolution after filing a deportation order against William Lee O’Brian. Me and my children are happy with the BI’s decision. I have full trust that justice will prevail since we know the truth.)
Despite this, Pokwang apologized to BI for allowing her anger against O’Brian to get the best of her, saying she’s still frustrated with the breakdown of their relationship even when the latter had already been ordered to be deported.
“Mabigat ang aking saloobin mula nang nagkaproblema kami ni Lee at nagpatuloy pa ito kahit nanalo na kami sa deportation case laban sa kanya. Dahil na din siguro ito sa mga limitasyon ko bilang tao, bilang solo parent na nagtataguyod sa aking pamilya,” she said.
“Valid man itong aking mga nararamdaman, hindi ito sapat na dahilan para makapagsabi ako ng mga masakit at walang basehan na bagay sa aking kapwa, partikular sa ating mga kasamahan sa BI,” she continued.
(I still harbor bitter feelings ever since Lee and I started having problems and this continued even if he was served the deportation order. Perhaps this is because of my limitations as a human being and as a solo parent. My feelings are valid, but this doesn’t justify the need to make such remarks against others, particularly against the BI.)
Pokwang and ex-partner Lee O’Brian. Image: Instagram / @leeobrian
Pokwang, however, remained firm that she has faith in the justice system in the country while saying sorry to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco and DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
She also thanked public interest lawyer Ralph Calinisan and the Calinisan Domingo and Beron law offices for their efforts in handling her case.
“Naniniwala po ako sa proseso ng hustisya sa Pilipinas. Pasensya na po kung sa bugso ng aking damdamin, ay may mga nasasabi akong di kaaya-aya,” she said. “Gusto ko din magpasalamat kay Atty. Rafael Calinisan at sa Calinisan Domino and Beron Law Office para sa kanilang galing at husay sa pag aasikaso ng aking kaso.”
“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa taumbayan kung ako ay naging malupit sa aking mga nabibitawang salita. Patawad po, at sana ay patuloy po ninyo akong suportahan sa pamamagitan ng inyong pagunawa at panalangin,” she further added.
(I believe in the justice system of the Philippines. I’m sorry for allowing my feelings to get the best of me, almost to the point of saying unpleasant things. I also want to thank Atty. Rafael Calinisan at sa Calinisan Domino and Beron Law Office for their hard work in handling my case. I apologize to the public for my harsh remarks. I’m sorry, and I hope that you will continue to support me through understanding and prayers.)
Neither the BI nor O’Brian’s camp have yet to issue a statement, as of this writing.