The late veteran broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, left, and his son, Filipino singer Mark Mabasa. Mark is currently in U.S. immigration custody in Southern California while pursuing an asylum application.
Counsel seeks bond review ahead of Nov. 5 immigration hearing
LOS ANGELES — Mark Mabasa, son of slain Philippine broadcaster Percival Mabasa, professionally known as Percy Lapid, remains in U.S. immigration custody in Southern California as his asylum application remains pending and his lawyer seeks his temporary release on bond.
Mabasa has been held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center since Sept. 21. The specific immigration ground for his detention has not been publicly disclosed.
Mabasa’s lawyer, John Perry, said he filed a request for bond redetermination on Oct. 2 and expects a bond hearing before the next scheduled master calendar hearing on Nov. 5. Perry said the immigration judge also set a Nov. 16 merits hearing during Mabasa’s Oct. 2 appearance.
Under federal immigration court procedures, bond proceedings are separate from the underlying immigration case. An immigration judge may determine whether an eligible detainee can be released while the case proceeds.
The Adelanto Immigration Court is administered by the Executive Office for Immigration Review, an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is holding Mabasa.
In response to an inquiry from the Asian Journal, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles said:
“The details of Mr. Mark Mabasa’s case are being handled by his lawyer.
“The Consulate General is closely coordinating with Mr. Mabasa, his family, and his lawyer but will not provide updates in observance of privacy laws and in deference to the family’s request for privacy.”
The consulate did not provide additional information about Mabasa’s immigration proceedings.
Mabasa is a Filipino singer who was among the finalists on the first season of “The X Factor Philippines” in 2012. Since moving to the United States, he has continued performing, including at Filipino American community events nationwide.
Human Rights Watch reported that Mabasa went to the United States in February 2023 after receiving death threats following his father’s killing and sought asylum. His uncle, journalist Roy Mabasa, told the organization that Mark holds U.S. employment authorization.
Human Rights Watch also reported that Mabasa had performed in Chicago earlier in September and was detained by ICE after returning to Los Angeles.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros has urged the Philippine government to assist Mabasa and called for his release. She said she had raised his case with Philippine and U.S. diplomatic officials.
Killing of Percy Lapid
Percival Mabasa, professionally known as Percy Lapid, was a veteran radio broadcaster and commentator who hosted “Lapid Fire.” He was 63 when he was shot and killed near his home in Las Piñas City on Oct. 3, 2022.
Police said gunmen riding a motorcycle attacked Lapid while he was inside his vehicle. The Philippine National Police formed a special investigation task force following the killing.
Investigators examined Lapid’s work as a possible motive. In November 2022, then-Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said authorities were looking at Lapid’s “Cinderella Man” report concerning then-Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag’s alleged wealth and properties as a possible trigger for the killing.
That remained an investigative theory, not an adjudicated finding against Bantag.
Alleged prison communications chain
The investigation later extended into New Bilibid Prison after authorities alleged that arrangements for Lapid’s killing were relayed through a chain of prison officials, inmates and contacts outside the facility.
The National Bureau of Investigation said sworn statements from inmates showed what investigators described as a direct line of communication from Bantag and then-Bureau of Corrections deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta to inmate Denver Mayores, who communicated with inmate Alvin Labra. Investigators said Labra then coordinated with prison gang leader Aldrin Galicia.
Authorities alleged that Galicia used gang members and contacts outside New Bilibid Prison, eventually leading to Joel Escorial and the group accused of carrying out the shooting.
Those allegations formed part of the government’s prosecution theory and should not be read as findings of guilt against defendants whose cases have not been adjudicated.
Bantag denied involvement. Zulueta also denied the accusations, including allegations that he contacted Mayores and the other inmates. Zulueta died in March 2024 before the criminal case against him was resolved.
Investigators also identified New Bilibid Prison inmate Cristito “Jun” Villamor as an alleged intermediary between prison contacts and the gunmen. Villamor died inside the prison on Oct. 18, 2022, the same day Escorial was publicly presented after admitting his role in Lapid’s killing. Authorities separately pursued murder charges arising from Villamor’s death.
Prosecutors subsequently found probable cause to charge Bantag and several others with murder in connection with Lapid’s killing.
Several defendants have since been convicted.
New Bilibid Prison gang leaders Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra and Alfie Peñaredonda pleaded guilty as accessories to Lapid’s murder and received prison terms of up to eight years.
Denver Mayores, an inmate who initially faced a murder complaint as a principal by indispensable cooperation, later pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of accessory to murder. In December 2023, the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court sentenced him to two to eight years in prison.
The Justice Department said Mayores’ case formed part of the alleged network of prison contacts involved in arranging the killing.
Escorial, who admitted shooting Lapid, was sentenced by a Las Piñas court in May 2024 to between eight years and eight months and 16 years in prison.
Bantag has not been convicted in the Lapid case and remains wanted by Philippine authorities. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in May 2026 that Interpol had issued a Red Notice for him.
