Big Brother has forgiven ex-housemate Russu Laurente after he confessed that he once supported ABS-CBN’s shutdown as he returned to the outside world following his eviction last Jan. 3.
Russu only got 4.39 percent of combined Kumu and text votes, making him the second evictee of the season.
But before he bid goodbye to the "PBB" house, Russu admitted to his fellow housemates and to Big Brother that he showed support for the network’s shutdown. His old tweets also resurfaced on social media that sent netizens abuzz.
During Saturday’s (January 2) episode, Russu apologized to Kuya and explained why he regrets his actions.
"Alam ko po Kuya na nasaktan po kayo na minsan po isa rin ako sa mga sumang-ayon sa pagpapasara ng iyong tahanan nong mga panahong hindi ko pa alam 'yung mga nangyayari, 'yung mga totoong nangyayari po sa mga nakikita ko po Kuya. I'm sorry po Kuya kung nasaktan ko po kayo at 'yung pamilya po ng ABS-CBN," Russu explained.
Big Brother on his part immediately forgave Russu and praised him for showing humility. “Tulad nga ng sinabi ko Russu at palagi kong sinasabi, hindi dapat nagiging basehan ang ating nakaraan para manghusga ng pagkatao at sa pag-ako ng pagkakamali natin, iwan na natin ang mga pagkakamaling ito. Nawa'y lahat tayo may matingnan na bagong kinabukasan sa bagong tao na ito. At Russu sa pagbatikos mo, sa pagsuporta sa pag-shutdown ng tahanang ito, tinatanggap ko ang pagpapakumbaba mo. Kahit ganon 'yung nangyari, naging bahagi ka na rin ng pamilya ito.”
Meanwhile, Russu was greeted with warm hugs from “PBB Connect” hosts Robi Domingo and Toni Gonzaga once he stepped outside of the "PBB" house. Robi also underscored that Russu is not a "villain."
“Si Russu po para sa akin hindi kaaway, hindi siya villain. Isa siyang victim ng broken system. Ang maganda po rito, matuto tayo ng sabay-sabay. Let’s grow as Filipinos.”
As for Toni, Russu shouldn’t be judged for one mistake. She remarked: “A person is not defined by a mistake. He is defined by how he rises up.”
Toni also stressed that ‘forgiveness is a gift’ in her Instagram post about the eviction. “Now that he knows better, he will do better. I hugged the boy after the show and he kept apologizing. Forgiveness is a gift everyone deserves.”