Pokwang on her ex-partner’s deportation: ‘Answered prayer’

Pokwang and Lee O’Brian. Images: Instagram/@itspokwang27, Instagram/@leeobrian

Following the official deportation of her former partner, Lee O’Brian, Pokwang said she was “relieved” to hear the news, which was “an answered prayer.”

In an interview on “24 Oras,” the actress-comedian affirmed that O’Brian’s being out of the country would give them the chance to work separately on the future of their only daughter, Malia.

“It’s a big, big relief,” she said. “Answered prayer naman ‘to para sa kapayapaan ng isip ko at ganon rin naman sa kanya (This is an answered prayer for my peace of mind as well as his). Gaya ng sinabi ko (Like what I said), moving forward, magtrabaho tayong dalawa (let’s work separately) to provide for Malia’s future.”

Pokwang said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) did its job in upholding the law.

The “Becky and Badette” actress also urged her ex-partner to provide financial support for their child, and said she would not deny O’Brian the chance to see their daughter in the future.

“Syempre siya pa rin ang tatay. Hindi ko naman po ipagdadamot, lalo na kung mag-eeffort talaga siya,” she said. (Of course he is still the father. I won’t deny him the right, especially if he really makes an effort.)

“Alam ko balang araw mapapanood ito ni Malia. Responsiblidad ko po ‘yon ipaliwanag sa kanya ng maayos, nang patas kung bakit kailangan mangyari ito,” added the actress. (I know one day Malia will watch this. It is my responsibility to explain to her properly, fairly why this has to happen.)

BI announced on Thursday, April 11, that O’Brian has been officially deported and will have no chance to enter the Philippines again as he is now included in the local agency’s blacklist. 

Pokwang filed a deportation case against her former partner in 2023, saying in her complaint that O’Brian had been working in the country with no proper permit and only a tourist visa despite having stayed in the Philippines for eight years already.