Rep. Terry Ridon pushes back against Pokwang’s claims after brother’s viral road rage incident

• Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon dismissed what he described as an implied cyber libel threat from Pokwang
• The dispute followed a viral street altercation in Antipolo City involving Pokwang’s brother, Carlo Subong
• Ridon denied posting photos of Pokwang’s entire family, saying only images of Carlo Subong were shared
• The lawmaker vowed to pursue license revocation and criminal charges against Subong

Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon has rejected the perceived cyber libel threat raised by actress-comedian Pokwang, whose real name is Marietta Subong, following a viral road rage incident involving her brother in Antipolo City.

The issue erupted after Pokwang released a video statement on Tuesday apologizing for her brother Carlo Subong, who was accused of slapping a man pushing a cart during a street altercation that was caught on camera.

While expressing regret over the incident, Pokwang also criticized a lawmaker whom she claimed had posted photos of her entire family online, saying this allegedly violated their privacy.

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In response, Ridon said there was no doubt that he was the person being referred to, and he firmly denied the accusation.

“What were posted were photographs of Carlo Subong—the individual involved in the incident—whose actions constitute grave threats, physical injuries, and child @buse against Crispin Villamor and his daughter,” Ridon said.

The lawmaker stressed that the public has the right to know the identity of individuals accused of committing crimes, especially when public safety is involved.

He added that the images shared were already publicly accessible and that the show-cause order issued by the Land Transportation Office is a public document.

According to Ridon, Congress has the authority to step in on issues that affect transportation safety and road discipline, regardless of where the incident occurred.

He also made it clear that accountability should rest on the person directly involved in the altercation.

“[I]t should be Carlo Subong—not Ms. Subong—who should apologize to the nation and to the aggrieved parties,” Ridon said.

Ridon further disclosed plans to work toward the permanent revocation of Carlo Subong’s driver’s license and to coordinate with the Department of Justice in filing criminal cases.

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These include allegations of grave threats, physical injuries, and child @buse, which he described as matters of public concern.

“These are public offenses that implicate public interest and accountability, and cannot be treated as purely private matters subject solely to the agreement or settlement of the parties involved,” he said.

“Hinde kayo ang biktima dito. Ang biktima dito ay si Crispin at ang kanyang anak. Ang biktima dito ay ang mga ordinaryong Pilipinong inaabuso ng mga katulad ni Carlo Subong,” the lawmaker concluded.

Marietta Subong, widely known by her screen name Pokwang, is among the most admired comediennes in Philippine showbiz. She is celebrated for her straightforward humor, relatable outlook, and nurturing image, qualities that have endeared her to many Filipinos. Formerly part of ABS-CBN, Pokwang later moved to GMA Network during the pandemic period. Her filmography includes well-known titles such as Call Center, A Mother’s Story, and Edsa Woolworth. She is a mother to two daughters, Mae and Malia, and her highly publicized breakup with Lee O’Brian has frequently been discussed on social media platforms.

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In recent developments, Pokwang voiced her worries about the safety of students following a series of earthquakes that affected different parts of the country. Through an Instagram Story, she supported calls for the temporary suspension of face-to-face classes in favor of online learning to help protect children. She also appealed to education officials to seriously consider the proposal, emphasizing that her concerns stem from her role as a mother who fears for the safety of students.

Earlier, on September 21, Pokwang also took to Instagram to share a strongly worded message amid nationwide protest actions demanding accountability over corruption. Although she did not mention any specific individuals, her post echoed widespread public frustration over greed and the misuse of power, and was widely interpreted as a firm call for accountability from those in authority.

Source: KAMI.com.gh