MANILA, Philippines — Gary Valenciano said he was surprised and saddened over what one-time ABS-CBN talent singer Jimmy Bondoc said against the station and its franchise renewal. (READ: ABS-CBN journalists, staff go on social media to show support for network)

In a press conference for the Evolt Concert and Dance championship on Saturday, May 25, Gary recalled how he met Jimmy in ABS-CBN.

“I don’t know exactly why would Jimmy exactly come out so boldy and to say such things. But something must have happened, something must have heard from him to become that way. Because that doesn’t seem [like] the Jimmy I once knew,” Gary said.

“So nakakabigla (it was a surprise) and I knew it was going to create a lot of waves — whether it’s people in the industry or even people outside of the industry.”

According to Gary, if he gets a chance to sit down with Jimmy, he would ask what made him say what he said.

“If he has actual stories, then I would follow the advice of Angel [Locsin], who said just make a proper complaint and take it to the proper courses,” he said, referring to Jimmy’s allegations of sexual harassment in the network.  (READ: Angel Locsin hits Jimmy Bondoc over post on ABS-CBN franchise renewal)

“Because there are more than… it’s just more than one station involved here. It’s thousands of people in that station that [suffer] should the station disappear, a lot of people’s lives will not just be put on hold but a lot of lives will be affected in ways that very debilitating and possibly have no way of recovering from.”

When he was asked if he was disappointed, Gary said there are two sides to look into the issue.

“There are reasons for everything… why people say things and for me, a person who speaks that way can only be driven so far, maybe umabot na sa threshold niya and lumampas sa threshold niya kaya nilabas niya iyon (maybe it has reached its threshold and it went beyond the threshold that’s why he said such things).”

“I have to be someone who sees both sides of the story before I can make a judgment call on it… I am saddened by what was said but I still know that he’s a friend. I’ve worked with him and I had fun working with him.”

Jimmy once performed on ASAP.

He supported then mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 elections, and was appointed vice president for Entertainment in the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) after Duterte won. — Rappler.com