FILIPINO footwear designer Jojo Bragais came to the defense of Miss Universe-Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee amid allegations that she and friends Rhian Ramos, fellow beauty queen Samantha Panlilio, and their bodyguards and assistant took turns in mauling a private driver over a missing “sensitive” photograph.
Taking to social media on Thursday, Jan. 29, Bragais said Dee could not have been present during the alleged physical assault on Ramos’ personal driver, alias “Totoy,” as the actress-beauty queen was with them in Iloilo at that time on Jan. 17.
Bragais, whose company was the official footwear provider for the 69th, 71st, and 72nd editions of the Miss Universe pageant, vouched for the character of Dee, as well as of Panlilio for being just “chill”.
“Base sa pano ko kilala si MMD (Dee) and SamPan (Panlilio), I doubt they could do ‘yung mga issues na binabato. Parehong chill na tao ‘to. And nasa Iloilo kami nila MMD nung January 17,” wrote the Bicolano pageant heels maker.
In the comments section, Bragais responded to a netizen’s query who asked if Dee was accompanied by her bodyguards during the event in Iloilo.
“Sa mga raket namin na mag kakasama, RM [road manager] ang kasama at di body guard. Wala akong ma alala base sa aking memory at personal na pagsasama na may ganap kaming may dala syang bodyguard. Mapa event, provincial judging or commercial shoot,” he replied.
Totoy recently filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), alleging that the three women repeatedly physically assaulted and “tortured” him at his employer’s residence, which began in the early hours of January 17.
The driver claimed he was beaten up by Ramos’ bodyguards at around 3 in the morning on Jan. 17. He further said that Dee and Panlilio joined in beating him the next day, Jan. 18.
Aside from Bragais, celebrity makeup artist Dave Quiambao, who worked closely with Dee, particularly during her preparation for the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, also affirmed the beauty queen’s presence in Iloilo at the time of the alleged assault.
Dee and Ramos’ lawyer Maggie Abraham-Garduque earlier denied the allegations of illegal detention and torture, saying that they are prepared to answer the charges as soon as they receive a copy of the complaint. (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
