Pokwang issues statement on Lee O”Brian”s deportation from the Philippines

Pokwang just issued her statement following her ex-partner Lee O’Brian’s deportation from the Philippines.

On Thursday’s episode of “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” Pokwang said the move is what is the best for the both of them.

“Para sa ikabubuti naming dalawa, and para makapag hanap buhay na rin siya nang maayos. Ako rin ganon,” the comedienne said, adding his deportation would prompt O’Brian to work in the United States and provide for their child Malia. 

Despite this, Pokwang is still giving O’Brian parental rights over Malia. In fact, she is open to the idea of their daughter visiting him in America. 

“When it comes to karapatan niya kay Malia, hindi ko naman ‘yon ipagdadamot basta ayusin lang niya buhay niya. Kahit anong mangyari, tatay pa rin siya ni Malia. Hindi ko aalisin ‘yon,” Pokwang said.

“Kung gustong pumunta ni Malia doon, then go fine. Kung gusto niyang dalawin siya ni Malia sa America. OK fine. Ihahatid ko pa. Basta ibabalik lang nila sa akin,” the TV host and actress said. 

Ending her statement, Pokwang said his deportation from the country would give the both of them a “peace of mind,” and hopes that it will be a chance for O’Brian to fix his life. 

“So at least for the peace of mind of both sides at makapagtrabaho siya nang maayos kasi nga dito bawal siya magtrabaho. So paano ang buhay niya rito?” She said.

“Sayang kasi may pinag-aralan naman siyang tao. Gamitin niya ‘yong natapos niya. Gamitin niya doon. Magtrabaho siya, mag-ipon siya, hindi lang para kay Malia kundi para na rin sa kaniya. Kasi 49 na siya. Ayusin niya na buhay niya,” Pokwang said. 

On Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration announced that O’Brian has been successfully deported from the country. 

The American national was deported on Monday evening after the agency confirmed he had no pending local cases.

He was also included in the BI’s blacklist, which effectively bans him from future entry attempts to the Philippines.

Pokwang won her deportation case against O’Brian in December 2023 for working in the country without a proper permit.

The BI approved the complaint, citing that his active involvement in the country’s entertainment industry from 2016 to 2023 violated the permissions allowable within his tourist visa.

Pokwang also complained of alleged financial abuse, intimidation and abandonment of their daughter Malia.

O’Brian was denied a motion for reconsideration by the BI.

The two broke up in 2021, with Pokwang defending Lee against third-party rumors. But a 2022 “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview, Pokwang said she had to lie to maybe still save their relationship.

— Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News