MANILA – Filipino shoe designer Jojo Bragais confirmed that Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee was in Iloilo on January 17, the date when driver Bonifacio Baro alleged that Dee, actress Rhian Ramos, and Samantha Panlilio assaulted him.

In a Facebook post, Bragais vouched for Dee and Panlilio’s character, describing them as “chill” people.

“Base sa pano ko kilala si MMD (Dee) and SamPan (Panlilio), I doubt they could do [y]ung mga issues na binabato. Parehong chill na tao ‘to,” Bragais wrote. He added, “And nasa Iloilo kami nila MMD nung January 17.”

The date coincides with the coronation night of Miss Iloilo 2026, where Zestah Shalom Espinosa was crowned. Bragais, known to have partnered with Miss Universe Philippines as its official shoe designer in previous editions, confirmed Dee’s presence at the event.

Dee’s lawyer, Maggie Abraham-Garduque, also confirmed her client’s whereabouts. “Records would show, even plane tickets ni Michelle, tapos there are also postings, mga pictures, na nasa Iloilo si Michelle during that time. She attended Miss Iloilo. So, for the whole day of January 17, nandoon talaga siya. She just went back to Manila ng January 18,” Abraham-Garduque told News 5.

When asked in the comments of his post whether Dee had bodyguards with her, Bragais said she only came with a road manager. “Wala akong maalala base sa aking memory at personal na pagsasama na may ganap kaming may dala s’yang body guard. Mapa event, provincial judging or commercial shoot,” he wrote.

The camps of Dee, Ramos, and Panlilio have denied the allegations of illegal detention and assault made by Baro. Their legal counsel said the three have not yet received the complaint filed against them at the National Bureau of Investigation but will respond once they obtain a copy.