Vice Ganda clarifies Awra Briguela is still her talent amid bar scuffle issue: 'Hindi ko siya iiwanan'
Vice Ganda has set the record straight that she has not abandoned Awra Briguela as her talent manager despite the latter's ongoing legal issue.
Speaking with TV Patrol reporter MJ Felipe, Vice clarified that Awra is still his talent despite rumors that she has now let go of the young actress because of the incident that happened on early June 29, which involved the actor in a brawl at a Makati bar that led to her arrest.
"Yeah, she still is my talent," the It's Showtime host confirmed to MJ. "Alam mo, nagtataka ako kung saan nila nakukuha. One, no one asked me, ikaw lang ang nagtanong sa'kin. I was not interviewed by anyone kaya nagtataka ako kung saan nila nakukuha 'yung mga chika nilang iniwan ko si Awra. Na-interview ba nila si Awra?"
"Kasi si Awra cannot be interviewed by anyone, bawal din siyang magbigay ng mga interview. Kaya grabe talaga 'yung clout-chasing, 'yung para magamit 'yung issue, 'yung pangalan ko, 'yung pangalan ni Awra," she added.
Asked how she handled Awra's situation, Vice shared that she let the comedian rest first for a few days to calm both of their emotions, admitting that she was angered at what happened.
Later on, Vice said she had a conversation with Awra together with her father, highlighting that it came from "concern, love, and support."
Vice chose not to disclose information on whether there is truth to the allegations Awra had approached a man at a bar in Poblacion, Makati, and forced him to take off his shirt, leading to the messy scuffle.
However, she assured that she will support the young actress amid these rough times, "Hindi kami naghihiwalay ni Awra. Hindi ko siya iiwanan lalung-lalo na sa posisyon ng buhay niya, she needs guidance and I will be there for her."
According to the comedian, Awra is now "okay" and is "trying to be better every day." Vice also hoped that the local star learned something from the controversy.
"Wala tayong magagawa, nangyari na 'yun. Magsisisihan pa ba tayo? Magmumurahan pa ba tayo? What can we learn from this especially you? What can you learn from this experience? How can this experience strengthen you as a person and empower you to be a better person?"
After the brawl incident, Awra had been put behind bars for several days, but the executive judge at the Makati Regional Trial Court eventually granted the actress a release order after she posted a P6,000 bail.
She was slammed with complaints of physical injuries, alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobedience to a person in authority. However, three additional cases have been filed against her, including light threats, grave coercion, and violation of the Safe Spaces Act.
Despite this, Awra recently made her social media comeback a month after the incident to promote her upcoming series Comedy Island Philippines on Prime Video.