Lawmaker fires back at Pokwang over cybercrime claims, road rage

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December 17, 2025 | 10:50am

MANILA, Philippines — Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon responded to claims made by Pokwang after the comedienne hinted a lawmaker was liable for cyber crimes in relation to a road rage incident involving her brother.

A video that went viral recently sees Pokwang's brother Carlo Subong get into a street altercation in Antipolo City, slapping a man pushing a cart with his daughter.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has since suspended Carlo's driver's license for 90 days and issued a show cause order against him.

Pokwang — whose real name is Marietta Subong — uploaded a video on Facebook apologizing to the father and his daughter, admitting she did not take lightly her brother's actions.

The host-comedienne, however, did call out social media users posting photos of her family members online, including an unnamed lawmaker.

"Doon po sa ibang politiko na nakisakay po at hindi naman taga-Antipolo, nakakaloka. Nag-post pa kayo, sir, alam n'yo na kung sino kayo. Alam ko taga-Bicol kayo," Pokwang said. "Ingat po kayo, kasi mambabatas pa naman kayo so alam n'yo dapat na 'yung tinatawag na cyberbullying, cyberlibel."

"Okay, pinost po ninyo 'yung mukha ng buong pamilya ko. Isa lang po ang may kasalanan, kapatid ko, pero nasaan po 'yung privacy 'yung protection po ng pamilya ko," she added.

Related: Pokwang says sorry for brother's viral street altercation

Ridon says post referred to him, denies wrongdoing

On his X account, Ridon released a statement addressing Pokwang's claims, noting that she must have been alluding to him given the comedienne's descriptions as well as Ridon's own actions on road abuse issues such as the e-bike ban and the recent road rage incident.

Ridon began by pointing out that it should be Carlo, not Pokwang, offering apologies to aggrieved parties.

"It was Mr. Subong who consciously chose to commit grave threats, inflict physical injuries, and engage in acts of child abuse against Crispin Villamor and his daughter during the road rage incident," Ridon said, naming the man in the viral video.

The lawmaker called out Pokwang's claims that pictures of her whole family were posted online as true, clarifying that were posted were Carlo's pictures as "the public has every right to know the identity of a person who commits crimes against ordinary Filipinos."

Regarding his involvement, Ridon explained that Congress has full oversight powers over matters at the intersection of transportation and public safety, including road rage incidents, regardless of where they take place.

— Terry Ridon (@terryridon) December 16, 2025

No cybercrime in factual, public information — Ridon

Ridon took note of the Pokwang's threats of cyberlibel and cyberbullying cases emerging from legitimate public scrutiny of this incident.

"There can be no cyberlibel or cyberbullying where statements are factual and based on publicly available information," the solon said, adding that Carlo's actions, his photographs, and the LTO's show cause order are all publicized.

The congressman said a team will be deployed to the LTO to ensure Carlo is afforded due process and his driver’s license is permanently revoked, followed by a coordination with the justice department for criminal charges against Carlo including grave threats, physical injuries, and child abuse.

"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," Ridon explained.

"Hindi 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 ended.

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