Pokwang Seeks Ex-Partner Lee O’Brian’s Deportation

Almost two years after their split, veteran comedienne, actress and host Pokwang personally filed for ex-partner Lee O’Brian’s deportation before the Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday, June 13.

Clad in a yellow outfit and accompanied by her legal counsel, Rafael Vicente Calinasan, Pokwang (Marietta Subong in real life) told entertainment journalists that the filing was to teach O’Brian, an American actor, and others a lesson.

“[Nag-file ako] para mabigayan ng leksyon ang mga taong nag-aabuso sa batas natin at sa karapatan nating mga babae, ng bawa’t nanay (I filed the petition to give those who abuse our laws and the rights of us women, of every mother a lesson),” Pokwang said.

Pokwang noted that O’Brian was “mentally” abusive during the relationship, and failed to fulfill his obligations as a father to their daughter Malia.

“Sobra. Ilang gabi ‘di [ako] nakakatulog. Sobrang, alam mo ‘yon? ‘Di nya nagagawa ‘yung obligasyon nya bilang ama. Sobrang sakit ‘di lang para sa ‘kin kundi para sa anak namin (He was really mentally abusive. There were nights that I couldn’t sleep. He could not fulfill his obligations as a father. It’s really painful not just for me, but also for our daughter),” Pokwang bared.

In a report by Nelson Canlas on “24 Oras” on GMA News, Pokwang also cited financial abuse and intimidation by O’Brian as reasons why she decided to file the complaint against him.

Entertainment journalist MJ Marfori of TV5 reported that based on the petition of Pokwang’s camp, O’Brian was using a tourist visa “while working in the country for the past eight years.” It was further revealed on “Celebrity Top 10” on One News that O’Brian would only renew his tourist visa to continue seeking employment locally.

To further her case, Pokwang supposedly enumerated the showbiz projects O’Brian participated in. On Celebrity Top 10, Marfori said “some of these” were already certified by O’Brian’s employers.

The complaint falls under Sections 23 and 37(a) (7) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

Section 23 states that any immigration or passport visa, or re-entry permit obtained by fraud or willful misrepresentation is subject to cancellation by the issuing officer or Board of Commissioners.

Section 37(a)(7) meanwhile, says illegal aliens who remain in the country “in violation of any limitation or condition under which he was admitted as a nonimmigrant” will be arrested upon issuance of a warrant by the commissioner of immigration or a designated officer.

If O’Brian is found guilty by the Board of Commissioners, he will then be deported.

In an earlier interview by Marfori, Pokwang described the filing as a thorn that was finally removed. She added if O’Brian was being a father to Malia, she could have “tolerated” him doing well in the country.

In Canlas’ report, Pokwang said she wants “freedom” from O’Brian, being able to feel he is no longer around them.

Aside from the deportation complaint, Pokwang revealed that O’Brian was also flirty with other women, and “maliciously communicated” with them.

Before this, Pokwang shared she already had meeting with Calinisan last March. Without going into details, she said this was for Malia.

“Thank you Attorney (Ralph Calinisan) #tuloylanglabanparasakinabukasan. Hindi ako susuko para sa ‘yo anak (Malia), kung naitaguyod ko si ate ng (mag-isa) mas lalo ako magsisipag at magiging matapang para sa ‘yo at sa inyo ng ate mo (Thank you Attorney Ralph Calinisan. I will not give up for you Malia. If I was able to raise your bigger sister alone, then I will strive harder and be braver for you and your bigger sister),” Pokwang wrote.

Pokwang and O’Brian had been separated since November 2021. Last February, she called O’Brian a “palamunin” or a jobless person who depended on her for six years, and bared his failure to provide child support.

On “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” last Feb. 3, the comedienne said they fell apart due to a business problem. According to Pokwang, O’Brian took offense upon being asked for updates on their PokLee food products.

But before the confrontation, Pokwang said they were no longer on speaking terms, and her “sacrifices” protecting him were wasted. While initially wanting to fix their relationship for Malia, Pokwang said she has since expelled O’Brian from their household.

In Canlas' report, Pokwang said she stayed quiet for Malia’s sake. She hoped O'Brian would become humble so they could fix their family for their daughter.

“I was hoping na magpakumbaba siya para sa bata. Ayoko pa magsunog ng tulay para sa bata pa rin. Pero tumatagal kasi, imbes na magpakumbaba sya, parang ako pa ‘yung kailangan um-adjust sa kanya, (I was hoping he would humble himself for Malia. I did not want to burn bridges either for her…but as time passes, instead of him being humble, it’s as if I had to be the one to adjust for him),” Pokwang said.

“Marami akong red flags na nakita sa kanya dati. Pero syempre, bulag ka, nagmamahal ka so syempre pinalampas mo lahat ‘yon…Sa galit ko sa kanya, dalawang beses ako muntik nang makunan, dalawang beses ako tinakbo sa ospital dahil sa galit (I saw a lot of red flags even before. But of course, you’re blinded by love, so you let it pass…Actually, out of anger, I almost suffered a miscarriage twice. I was rushed to the hospital twice because of anger),” she added.

Pokwang is also concerned that O’Brian’s alleged womanizing and scandalous behavior could affect their daughter.

When asked for confirmation if Pokwang filed a deportation case against O’Brian, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said she could not “officially respond to this as sharing details about her private complaint is prohibited under data privacy laws.”

O’Brian was reportedly part of the movie “Sandwich” that premiered on Vivamax last May 19. Pokwang said O’Brian has “misplaced pride” and unjustly enjoys privileges in the country.

Pokwang first met O’Brian when they worked together in the film “EDSA Woolworth” in the United States. – With Evelyn Macairan