'Justice served': Pokwang wins deportation case against Lee O’Brian
Pokwang’s petition for deportation against her ex-partner Lee O’Brian has been granted by the Bureau of Immigration.
In a post on X on Saturday, Dec. 23, the comedienne reposted an article on the BI’s ruling and wrote: “Justice served.”
Justice served 🙏🏼 #thankful #grateful #Healing #moveforward2024 https://t.co/ws3mvoJPn3
— marietta subong (@pokwang27) December 23, 2023
Her legal counsel Atty. Ralph Calinisan called the decision a victory for Filipinos and women alike.
Isang tagumpay para sa Pilipino at sa kababaihan. Mabuhay po, Mamang @pokwang27 . ❤️ Happy to be of service to you. https://t.co/OfXjeWZyys
— Ralph Calinisan (@ralph_calinisan) December 23, 2023
Pokwang also reposted Calinisan’s tweet and expressed her thanks.
Her win in the case garnered mixed reactions from social media users. While her followers celebrated her win, there were some who expressed their concern that their daughter would grow up without a father.
An X user congratulated Pokwang and expressed their hope that Lee could find it in his heart to say sorry for what happened between them.
“Malabo. Kahit kay God, hindi magsosorry ‘yan kasi hindi naituro ng magulang niya ang word na ‘yan,” Pokwang replied.
“So her daughter will now grow up without her father. Good job Pokwang. Pina iral mo pagiging bitter mo. Lalaking fatherless yang anak mo,” someone wrote.
To which, the local star said: “Pero hindi sya lalaking tanga na hindi mabubuhay ng walang lalaki kagaya mo!”
Lee and Pokwang’s legal battle began after their separation in November 2021.
Pokwang filed a petition for deportation against Lee in June this year. According to entertainment reporter MJ Marfori, her camp "claims that O'Brian was using a tourist visa while working in the country for the past eight years."
Lee, meanwhile, filed his reply to the deportation complaint on June 26. In an interview shared by Marfori, the actor appealed to the Philippine government and the BI to look at the case in line with his deportation and visa cancellation “fairly and with justice” as he noted that the complainant is “very well-known” and “very influential” in the country.
The former couple got to know each other in 2014 while working on the film Edsa Woolworth. They welcomed Malia in 2018, and separated three years later.
While Pokwang initially said they were on good terms, she later revealed in a February interview with Boy Abunda that a business problem led to their fallout and that they were no longer speaking to each other even before their confrontation.