Ashley Rivera on Patrick Garcia Issue: “How come you didn’t protect Jazz?”
- October 5, 2026
After Patrick Garcia’s viral tell-all on his past with Jennylyn Mercado, the actress and comedian has shared her sentiments on what’s unraveling.
Patrick Garcia’s decision to revisit his 18-year-old history with Jennylyn Mercado has opened a much bigger conversation about what belongs in a public interview—and what should have been settled privately.
On the October 4 episode of Sunday night entertainment talk show on GTV Kalurks!, one of its hosts Ashley Rivera was asked about the controversy surrounding Garcia’s interview with Ogie Diaz, where the actor shared his side of his past relationship with Mercado and their son, Alex Jazz.
Ashley said that while everyone has the right to tell their own story, doing so should not come at the expense of another person’s reputation. “If you are going to share your truth, you don’t have to taint the image or reputation of other people, especially the mother of your child.”
Ashley also weighed in on Patrick’s reason for doing the interview, which was to protect his daughter from bashing. “He said that equally, he loves his children. So my question is, if you’re wanting to protect your daughter, how come you didn’t protect Jazz?”
“Jennylyn and Jazz are living quiet lives now. So why do that? Is it really necessary?” Ashley further questioned the purpose of Garcia’s stint.
She also doubted the timing to tell the story in such detail after keeping it private for nearly two decades, saying he could have presented his side differently without unnecessary details or name-dropping.
Her comments come as Mercado’s camp has chosen not to engage publicly with Garcia’s statements. In a September 30 statement, her management said she would not comment or grant interviews about the issue, citing respect for the privacy and peace of mind of both families.
Garcia chose to tell his side after 18 years, while Mercado has chosen to leave hers out of the public record.
As the internet continues to pick sides, whatever happened between them nearly two decades ago, the people most directly affected by it now include a son and a daughter who both have grown up in the middle of a story that began long before they have a sense of the world.
