Senator Risa Hontiveros Calls for Urgent Action to Support Mark Mabasa
In a poignant appeal this Friday, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Philippine government to step in and help secure the release of Mark Mabasa, the son of the late broadcaster Percy Lapid. Mark is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California, seeking asylum after the tragic loss of his father.
Percy Lapid, a prominent broadcaster, was shot and killed in October 2022, a brutal act that left a void in the hearts of many. The circumstances surrounding Mark’s detention remain unclear, yet Senator Hontiveros declared, “It is unacceptable that a person who has been seeking asylum is detained without a clear reason.”
Mark and his family sought refuge in the U.S. due to terrifying death threats they faced back home in the Philippines. Hontiveros highlighted that the government has an obligation to expedite Mark’s release. “Our government should be able to help,” she emphasized, as she expressed deep concern for the Mabasa family’s plight. She poignantly noted that the least the state can do is assist a family that had already “failed to protect Percy’s life.”
In a show of support, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles visited Mark recently, offering to conduct a welfare check at the family’s request. They assured that they are ready to provide Mark with necessary assistance in accordance with U.S. laws.
Senator Hontiveros took further steps to escalate the matter, reaching out to high-level officials including Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. She made it clear that the Mabasa family deserves more than what they have received. “They have endured enough. It has been four years since Ka Percy was killed, and instead of justice, they are made to suffer again,” she stated, visibly emotional.
The family’s heartache is compounded by the absence of justice and the fear that haunts them even miles away from home. “We should not retraumatize a family that has already lost so much,” she urged. “They need to feel that they are not alone, whether here or abroad.”
The pain of losing a loved one in such a violent manner is unfathomable. For the Mabasa family, who have bravely faced threats and distress over the years, the call for support is not just about securing Mark’s freedom—it’s about restoring their dignity and peace.
In this dark chapter, we must stand together, echoing the need for compassion, understanding, and action. The Mabasa family’s story is one of resilience amid adversity, and it reminds us all of the crucial work that lies ahead in championing justice and humanity.
