MANILA, Philippines — Actor John Prats is planning to file charges of physical injuries against fellow ABS-CBN talent Jason Francisco, who assaulted him during rehearsals for the comedy-gag show “Banana Split” Thursday afternoon at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City. “I was watching the rehearsals when out of nowhere, I felt something hit my face from behind. And then I was punched two more times. When I got up, I saw that it was him (Francisco). I wanted to fight back but there were already people restraining me,” Prats told “Saksi” Thursday night. Prats, who was suffering from a swollen left cheek, immediately reported the incident at the San Juan Police Station. As for the assailant’s motives, Prats could only presume that Francisco, who used to be a part of “Banana Split,” blew his top because of all the teasing his former girlfriend Melai Cantiveros gets from the rest of the show’s cast. “Teasing among friends is normal. I get called small or a dwarf — it’s comedy. It shouldn’t be an issue,” he said. Meanwhile, that same night on “Bandila,” a remorseful Francisco appeared on air asking for Prats’ forgiveness. “I apologize for what I did. I hope you and your family can forgive me,” he said.
