ROBIN'S ASSAILANT NEPHEW OF ISABELA GOV

Manila, March 31, 2003 -- The politically influential Dy family yesterday 
denied reports that Nicolai Dy, whom actor Robin da Roza allegedly engaged 
in a bar fight over the weekend, is the son of former Isabela Gov. Benjamin 
Dy.

Rep. Faustino Dy III (3rd District, Isabela), the ex-governor's brother, 
has instead clarified that Nicolai, the subject of Da Roza's complaint of 
physical assault at the Makati police, is their nephew. Nicolai, he said, 
is the son of another brother, Alex Dy.

The lawmaker made the statement in reaction to a report (Philippine STAR 
March 29 Metro page-17) that the actor's assailant is the son of former 
Isabela Gov. Dy. "In fairness to the former governor, we want to make it 
clear that Nicolai is not his son. Nicolai is the son of our brother Alex," 
he said.

Nicolai, who is reportedly still at large, is facing charges of slight 
physical injuries for throwing an empty bottle of beer in the direction of 
Da Roza's group inside the Olive Disco Bar in Makati, hitting the 
32-year-old actor on his left cheek.

The incident, Da Roza said, caused him several stitches in his left cheek. 
He said he was with several friends while Nicolai was with a certain 
Panfilo Lacson Jr., allegedly the son of Senator Ping Lacson, when the 
incident took place at around 3:30 a.m.  (Charlie Lagasca, Star)