TV host apologizes to driver he mauled

MANILA, Philippines — The television show host and TV5 talent who assaulted a taxi driver after refusing to pay his fare apologized to the victim on air on Monday.

Daniel Marsh, one of the hosts of reality show "Juan Direction," said sorry to cabbie Edward Villanueva of World Taxi on Radio Singko hosted by Raffy Tulfo.

Tulfo said he was not informed that Villanueva sought help from TV5 executives after the incident.

"Hindi nasabi sa'kin kaya umuwi yung taxi driver. Nung nalaman ko 'yon, pinatawag ko siya, 'Pwede bang pumunta ka dito para makausap kita, madinig natin 'yung side.' At the same time, nung pumayag siya, tinawag din natin si Daniel Marsh nagkita kita sila," Tulfo said.

VERA Files earlier reported that Marsh assaulted Villanueva on July 23 and damaged his vehicle after refusing to pay him the fare of P78.50, claiming he lost his money.

Read: TV host won't pay P78 fare; mauls taxi driver

Villanueva dropped Marsh off at his Mandaluyong City condominium residence when the Filipino-Irish TV host declared his ride was "free."

In an earlier interview, Marsh admitted the assault but claimed he acted in self-defense when the cabbie refused to start the meter.

Tulfo said, however, that the issue has reached its closure.

"Napapatawad ko na siya," Tulfo quoted Villanueva, reportedly a pastor, as saying. - Camille Diola