PHOTO | Claudine Barretto visits Rico Yan’s tomb on his birthday

Claudine Barretto visited her ex-boyfriend Rico Yan’s tomb at the Manila Memorial Park on Friday to mark the occasion of his 39th birthday. A photo of the visit in which she poses with two female members of the late matinee idol’s family was posted on her official Instagram fan page.

The caption reads: “Earlier at Manila Memorial Park. Celebrating Rico Yan’s 39th birthday with Ms. Geraldine Yan-Tueres, Tricia Sandejas and Ms. @claubarreto.”

Three black heart characters precede the hashtags “happy”, “peace”, and “firstandlastlovefinallymet”. The photo was credited to Yan-Tueres’ Facebook page.

Two photos from a collage documenting Claudine Barretto's visit to Rico Yan's tomb on his 39th birthday on Friday.

A collage containing that same photo and three other photos — one showing Yan-Tueres and Sandejas without Barretto and two others showing just the actor’s tomb — was also posted on the entertainment blog Fashion Pulis.

 Yan was 27 when he died in his sleep of acute hemorraghic pancreatitis at the Dos Palmas Resort in Palawan in 2002. Three weeks before that, he and Barretto had broken up a day after their fourth anniversary as a couple.

She appeared estranged from his family during his funeral even though she  claimed that she and Yan had been in the process of reconciling before he died.

Barretto married another actor, Raymart Santiago, four years later. Last year, she and Santiago admitted they had separated, and since then had been locked in a bitter and complicated legal battle over the custody of their two children.

Claudine's camp mulls libel suit vs Gretchen

The camp of former TV star Claudine Barretto has threatened to sue her sister, actress Gretchen, over her supposedly libelous statements in relation to the younger Barretto's marital spat and their controversial family feud.

Speaking with ABS-CBN News' Marie Lozano on Friday, Claudine's legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said Gretchen should be "held to account" for her statements about her sister in her recent media interviews.

"Ms. Gretchen Barretto has been saying so many things that are libelous. I think it's about time she's held to account. Dapat panagutin na siya sa mga sinasabi niya," the lawyer said.

Topacio said he had already recommended the legal step to Claudine when Gretchen first went on the record with her allegations. But according to the lawyer, Claudine decided against it supposedly because she was concerned with how it may affect Gretchen's daughter.

"Alam niyo, sinabi ko na 'yan kay Ms. Claudine Barretto noon pang unang-unang nagpa-interview si Ms. Gretchen Barretto na sampahan na ng kaso, because na pe-prejudice 'yung kanyang kaso rito, 'yung mind ng public.

"Ang sabi ni Ms. Claudine Barretto sa akin, huwag daw sapagkat si Ms. Gretchen Barretto raw ay nasa London kasama ang kanyang anak na si Dominique. Baka daw ma-distract 'yung pag-aaral ni Dominique dahil may kaso ang kanyang ina," said Topacio.

"But now, I think it's about time that she's held to account," he added. "Dahil baka akala ni Ms. Gretchen Barretto na she's above the law because of her stature, because of her so-called sponsor. [She thinks] she can [flout] the law at walang consequence."

"We will show her that it is otherwise."

Gretchen's long-time partner, and the father of Dominique, is businessman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco, the former chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
Asked what cases they are specifically planning to file against Gretchen, Topacio said, "Huwag muna natin i-telegraph 'yung mga punches natin. Basta we will punch."

Gretchen's testimony

Gretchen's latest statements about Claudine was on Thursday, when she appeared as a witness in court for the younger Barretto's husband, actor Raymart Santiago, in cases involving the former couple.

The hearing, held at the Marikina Regional Trial Court, was for the consolidated cases of Claudine's petition for a protection order against Santiago, and their custody battle over their two children.

Claudine's petition for a protection order stems from her allegations of "physical, sexual,
psychological and economic" against Santiago, which the actress detailed in an Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) case she filed against him in August. These alleged abuses, Claudine said, date back to 2002.

Before and after the hearing on Thursday, Gretchen granted interviews where she mentioned Claudine's alleged stint in a rehabilitation center, and her recommendation to give her sister the same treatment for her supposed condition.

Gretchen, in a published statement in October, said her sister is mentally ill and has a history of drug abuse. She said her family, at one point, had to conspire to have Claudine hospitalized for treatment.
Santiago made the same allegations in his counter-affidavit in the VAWC case, which included sworn statements from Gretchen and two other Barretto siblings, Majorie and JJ, supporting his claims.
According to Topacio, Barretto matriarch Inday was in tears over Gretchen and JJ testifying against Claudine, who is the youngest of seven siblings.

"Medyo naapektuhan ata siya sa nangyari. Ang sabi nga niya, assuming without conceding na may problema si Claudine, at kung talagang mahal mo 'yung kapatid mo, the way to show that love is not to go out in public and accuse her of so many things. E 'di lalong magkakaroon ng problema, 'yun ang sabi niya sa akin," the lawyer said.

"Umiiyak nga siya kanina, bago ako malabas sandali, nakausap namin si Mommy Inday," he added.
In her interview after the hearing on Thursday, Gretchen emphasized that she only gave her testimony in the case out of love and concern for her youngest sister.

'Distraught' Claudine

Asked when Claudine is planning to address her sister's public statements -- the court cases are under a gag order -- Topacio said, "She is quite distraught at present. Sabi ko huwag na muna. I will have to take it from here."

"She's really hurt that she was not given the chance to confront the witness against her. They are her own flesh and blood eh, so talagang masakit. Iba 'yung kalaban mo ang hindi mo kaano-ano eh, at iba 'yung kalaban mo 'yung taong minahal mo," the lawyer said.

Topacio also lamented that he was supposedly not given the opportunity to cross-examine Gretchen and JJ, who both took the witness stand on Thursday.

The lawyer explained that they had requested the Marikina RTC to move the hearing to a later date, citing his illness. Topacio said that on the day of the hearing, he was brought to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa due to diarrhea and vomiting.

"Not only was there a valid reason para mag-postpone, which is my illness, but 'yung dalawang witness na inihain nila are vital witnesses. These are important witnesses.

"At kailangan ma-cross-examine -- hindi ko sinasabi na nagsisinungaling o hindi totoo 'yung sinasabi nila -- [dahil] the most effective method of finding out whether a witness is telling the truth or not is cross-examination. At iyon ang pinagkait sa amin," he said.

Topacio's associate, Atty. Ivy Cabatingan, represented Claudine in the court hearing on Thursday. Topacio noted that Cabatingan does not usually litigate.

Claudine Barretto refutes drug addiction allegations

MANILA, Philippines - Claudine Barretto and her legal counsel on Tuesday denied the allegations of Raymart Santiago that the actress is a drug addict.

In the counter-affidavit of Raymart in response to Claudine’s Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) case against him, the Kapuso actor revealed the alleged drug use of the 34-year-old actress.

Raymart presented photos and videos which he claims show Claudine's alleged drug addiction. The 37-year-old also claimed Claudine inflicted physical harm on him.

During a press conference at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City, Claudine's lawyer Ferdinand Topacio refuted Raymart’s claims.

“It was very clear that nilabas nila yung video para pahiyain yung kliyente ko but there’s no truth to the rumors na pino-propogate nila na my client is a drug addict,” Topacio told members of the press.

He also said Raymart’s claims were not relevant to Claudine’s VAWC case and were meant to” probably humiliate my client and para magalit sa kanya ang publiko at mapahiya siya, which shows the kind of person that Mr. Santiago is.”

 

According to Topacio, the medicine Claudine is injecting on one of the videos presented by Raymart in his counter-affidavit is Gerovital H3.

Gerovital— or procaine hydrochloride, a “controversial preparation developed during the 1950s and promoted by its advocates as an effective anti-aging treatment,” according to Wikipedia—is taken intramuscularly, he said.

“For convenience, siya na yung nagtutusok ng Gerovital,” he explained. “Yun yung nakita sa video.”  

Claudine said Raymart also takes Gerovital H3.

‘Hinahamon kita’

Claudine also takes anti-allergy medication intravenously, he added, as the actress suffers from chronic urticaria—also known as hives.

During the press conference, Topacio showed negative drug test reports of Claudine from October 11, 2011 and April 8, 2013. These are relevant dates covered by Claudine’s Violence Against Women and Children case, he explained.

They also presented Claudine’s report from a drug test taken Monday, September 30. According to the report, Claudine tested negative for 10 illegal drug substances—particularly phencyclidine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, ecstacy, methadone, methamphetamine, morphine, opium, and tetrahydrocannabinol.  

It was Claudine’s father Miguel Barretto who urged her daughter to take a drug test yesterday.

“Ang gusto ko ay magpadrugtest ka, para mawala na talaga lahat ng bahid na drug addict ka kung pumasa ka. At gusto kong itong araw na nito, kasama ako at isang abugado. Kung maari ipa-video naitn. Nagulat ako sa sagot ni Claudine, ‘Oo, dad. Papasundo kita’,” he said.

The Barretto patriarch added, “Hinintay naming ang results. Complete ang hinihingi namin, sampu, hindi lang dalawa. This was done yesterday, negative and passed lahat.”

“So, ngayon, sino ang sinungaling? Ngayon hinahamon ko siya na magpadrugtest rin. Kasi huling kita ko sa kanya sa TV parang may tama. Magpadrugtest siya, ako nag magbabayad, para hindi niya sabihin na piagastos ko pa siya. Iyon ang hamon ko sa kanya,” he ended.

Junelet Mataro, part of Claudine’s legal team, said they are planning to file another case against Raymart today, October 1.

Meanwhile, in an interview, Ruth Castelo, Raymart’s lawyer, responded to Claudine and Topacio’s denial over their allegations.

“They can deny everything that he said. We submitted the evidences already and it's up to the prosecutor to determine the validity whether or not our evidences are admissible,” Castelo said.

Claudine: 'You don't destroy people you love'

MANILA -- Days after actor Raymart Santiago revealed her alleged drug use, controversial actress Claudine Barretto posted a cryptic message in her social media accounts.

 

On Thursday morning, Barretto tweeted: "You Dont destroy people you love," which also links to her Instagram account, where she posted a quotation from the US TV series "Grey's Anatomy."

 

Although Barretto didn't mention any specific person or incident, her posts come just days after Santiago detailed the actress's supposed drug use in a counter-affidavit filed before the Marikina Regional Trial Court last Tuesday, in relation to cases lodged against him by the actress.

 

 

Barretto is seeking to make permanent a temporary protection order (TPO) against Santiago, which stems from the alleged "physical, sexual, psychological and economic" abuse she had suffered from her husband.

 

Santiago's sworn statement also includes photos and videos, which he said shows his wife's alleged drug abuse.

 

Furthermore, the actor said this can be proven by medical records showing Barretto testing positive in a drug test, as well as her admission to a drug rehabilitation center.

Claudine on Raymart: 'Hindi naman siya sikat'

Purpose is to get children, says actor's camp

MANILA -- Claudine Barretto was quick to dismiss questions about Raymart Santiago, as the actress sought Thursday to permanently bar her estranged husband from seeing her.

A smiling and soft-spoken Barretto addressed questions at the Marikina Regional Trial Court (RTC) but appeared to shift her tone when Santiago's name was brought up.

 

"Alam mo, ayoko na siyang pag-usapan. Hindi naman siya importanteng tao, at hindi rin siya sikat. So huwag na natin siyang pag-usapan, 'yun lang," the 34-year-old actress said.

The former "Mula sa Puso" star was accompanied by her legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, to a court hearing on her petition to make permanent a temporary protection order

 

(TPO) against Santiago, which was granted in July.

In her initial request for the TPO, Barretto accused her husband of "physical, sexual, psychological and economic" abuse -- which were detailed in a separate case filed against Santiago in August for his alleged violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 in late August.

 

 

 

Citing a gag order issued by the Marikina RTC, Barretto and Topacio refused to confirm whether the permanent protection order has already been granted.

As the TPO still stands, Santiago is not able to see his children, who are currently living with Barretto.

 

The court order prohibits the actor from being within 300 meters of his wife.

Following the recent hospitalization of Sabina, her 9-year-old adopted daughter with Santiago, Barretto said Thursday she is now worried over the health condition of their second child, 6-year-old Santino.

 

"Si Santino naman ang na-admit ngayon, so sobrang stressful. Sobra akong nag-aalala, pati ako nagkakasakit na rin. Pero syempre maraming-maraming sumusuporta at maraming nagdadasal, so I'm really thankful. So eto, babalik ako agad sa ospital," the actress said.

 

As Barretto exited the Marikina RTC, she only hurriedly addressed a question about the supposed denial of women's rights group Gabriela of its support for the actress in her legal tiff with Santiago.

"'Yung kabilang kampo nagpalabas niyan, ewan ko," she said.

 

Santiago, who did not attend the hearing, was represented Thursday by his legal counsel, Atty. Ruth Castello.

 

The lawyer, in a separate interview, addressed a perjury case Barretto filed on Wednesday. The complaint is in relation to a sworn statment made by Santiago's camp in August for his petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which allowed him to see his children in court.

 

"We actually don't want to be diverted from the main case, kasi the purpose talaga of Mr. Santiago is to get the children. Ang daming sidelines pero we'll deal with them one by one, okay lang. We're still focused on the children," Castello said.

Claudine on Raymart: Never getting back together

Actress slaps perjury case vs husband, lawyers

MANILA -- Claudine Barretto was quick to respond when asked if there is any chance she and Raymart Santiago will get back together, amid the former couple's escalating legal tiff.

 

"Hindi na, okay na 'yon, huwag na," the 34-year-old actress said on Wednesday, explaining she and her children have supposedly gotten used to Santiago's absence.

 

The couple's 9-year-old daughter, Sabina, is currently in the hospital due to high fever. But according to Barretto, her eldest child hasn't asked for her father since she was confined.

 

"Hindi [na niya hinahanap], hindi. Sanay na," Barretto said.

Even if Santiago wished to visit Sabina, the actress added, he wouldn't be allowed, citing the temporary protection order (TPO) granted to her against the 40-year-old actor by the Marikina Regional Trial Court (RTC).

 

"Pangalawa," Barretto said, "huwag na tayo mag-plastikan. Hindi naman talaga siya gano'n, 'yun lang 'yon."

 

Asked if she regrets no longer raising her two children with Santiago, the actress said, "Pag sanay kang ikaw nang ikaw, mas makakahinga ka na nang mas maayos."

 

3rd case

The celebrity couple's separation early this year, Barretto has claimed, stems from the alleged "physical, sexual, psychological and economic" she suffered from Santiago supposedly since 2002.

 

Santiago has repeatedly denied these allegations, and expressed confidence the truth will come out even as Barretto filed the TPO against him in July, and a case for his alleged violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 in late August.

 

On Wednesday, Barretto filed yet another case against her husband, this time for perjury. According to the actress' legal counsel, Atty. Ginger Castillo, Santiago's camp supposedly lied in a sworn statement in August.

 

 

 

"According to them, there is no other case pending when they filed their habeas corpus and they knew at the time there was the TPO case," Castillo said, adding Santiago's lawyers are also respondents in the case.

 

Responding to the allegation, the actor's legal counsel, Atty. Ruth Castillo explained they had yet to receive a copy of the TPO petition when they made the sworn statement.

Santiago, meantime, refused to give a long comment, only saying, "Nagiging circus lang, eh. Pabayaan mo na siyang (Barretto) magsalita."

 

Coping Claudine

Asked how she is coping given the successive complaints she has failed against her husband, Barretto said, "Through prayers lang talaga."

 

"When you're really pushed to the wall talaga, wala ka nang ibang magagawa kundi magpakatatag. Maraming taong sumusuporta, nagmamahal, nagdadasal para sa akin, and I think that's what's most important. Maraming taong nagmamahal sa amin ng mga anak ko," she said.

 

Barretto also shrugged off her detractors, saying her only goal is to ensure the welfare of her children.

 

"Sa mga tao na hindi nakakatulong at nakakadagdag lang ng problema, hindi ko nalang sila iniinda, hindi ko nalang sila pinapansin. Hayaan nalang natin.

 

"I'm not out to please everybody, I'm just trying to protect my children. 'Yun lang naman talaga 'yon eh. And sana, 'yung mga dumadagdag sa gulo, they'll just leave me in peace," she said.

Lawyer: Claudine, Raymart will never reconcile

Raymart Santiago is thankful for the “guaranteed exclusive contract” that GMA 7 just recently offered him.

 

“Nothing is final,” Raymart told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Friday, “but I appreciate this gesture of trust from the network. Needless to say, it will help me get through this situation (marital woes).”

 

GMA 7 vice president for entertainment Redgie Acuña-Magno said the network hoped to get the contract signed before the end of September. “This will be good for him,” Magno said, “since it assures him of a [steady] income while he is with the network. I’m sure this news will please him, take his mind off negative writeups.”

 

 

The network exec was referring to the actor’s word war with—on top of a lawsuit filed by—estranged wife Claudine Barretto.

 

Raymart has so far remained tight-lipped, saying, “More talk, more mistakes.”

On Thursday, Claudine charged Raymart with violating Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act of 2004, in the Marikina City Regional Trial Court.

 

The actress claimed she was “physical, sexually, psychologically abused by my own husband,” and submitted photos showing wounds and bruises allegedly inflicted by Raymart.

 

In July, Claudine filed a petition for temporary protection order against Raymart that she later asked to be made permanent. Raymart retaliated by filing a petition for habeas corpus, and then seeking sole custody of their two children—Sabina, 9, and Santino, 6.

 

“It is better to have a horrible ending than to live a life of unending horror,” was how Claudine’s legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, explained the actress’ decision to go public with her complaints and seek help from the court.

 

Point of no return

The lawyer said he doubted that Claudine would ever reconcile with her husband of seven years. “She knew this when she filed the first case. It was the point of no return,” Topacio told Inquirer by phone.

 

Before filing that first suit, Claudine had been “awfully depressed,” Topacio said. “She would burst into tears whenever she was asked about [Raymart] and how the situation had affected their kids. She’s doing a lot better now. She is still sad, but recent events have made her stronger [and] emboldened her.”

 

“She’s digging a deeper hole for herself,” was how Raymart saw Claudine’s decision to file another case. Through his legal counsel, Ruth Castelo, Raymart claimed to have “strong and solid evidence in his defense.”

 

In a statement obtained by Inquirer on Thursday, Castelo said, “We’re ready to dispute all of Claudine’s allegations, one by one. We’ll do that, though, at the opportune time and at the proper venue.”

 

She added that whatever photos or videos Claudine had in her possession should be presented as evidence in court. “Raymart believes only the courts, and not the public, can determine his innocence.”

 

Magno, who has worked with both Claudine and Raymart in various TV projects, came to the latter’s defense. “I’ve always known him to be a family man, a dedicated husband and father,” he said. “More than anything, he is worried about how this controversy will affect their children.”

 

Raymart was busy with the family-oriented series “Home Sweet Home” when his marital problem made the headlines, Magno told Inquirer. “I asked if he wanted to take a break. He said he didn’t because work kept his mind off the issue.”

“Home Sweet Home” ended its run on July 19.

 

Magno recounted days when Raymart brought the kids to work. “So he could bond with them, he said. He’s a super loving father. He treats their adopted child, Sabina, as his own. More than a coworker, Raymart has become my close friend.

He told me recently how exhausting it was that the situation had become bigger and more controversial.”

 

The actor seems well-loved by his other Kapuso bosses, including GMA 7 chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon. “We never had a problem with Raymart,” Gozon told Inquirer.

“Raymart is extremely loyal to us,” added Magno. “We didn’t ask him to, but he turned down offers to appear in other networks’ programs. We’ve been working with him for over 15 years.

 

He … [would sit] down with the production teams to help improve his shows.”

Actor Arthur Solinap, who worked with Raymart in “Home Sweet Home,” said he found the actor quiet and aloof at first. “When I got to know him better, mabait naman pala (I realized he was OK).

 

People told me he was a joker, but he wasn’t like that on the set. And despite everything he was going through, he never caused any delay in production.”

Claudine was last seen on GMA 7’s 2011 fantasy series “Iglot.” Magno said her contract was not renewed.

Help your daughter, Raymart tells Claudine's parents

MANILA -- Raymart Santiago appealed to the parents of his estranged wife, Claudine Barretto, to help her with her supposed "condition," amid his escalating legal battle with the actress.

 

The 40-year-old actor is now facing a case for alleged violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004, which Barretto filed Thursday afternoon before the Marikina Regional Trial Court (RTC).

 

On Friday, Santiago attended a court hearing for the Gabriela-backed case which accuses him of "physical, sexual, psychological and economic" abuse against Barretto, supposedly dating back to 2002.

 

Santiago and Barretto were married in March 2006. They have two children -- an adopted daughter, Sabina, 9; and a biological son, Santino, 6.

Citing a gag order, the actor refused to divulge details about Friday's court proceedings, but offered he is more than ready to face Barretto's accusations.

 

"Noong una pa lang naman, sinabi niya na magpa-file siya ng VAWC, so talang hinihintay lang namin kung ano ang ipa-file niya, at may pangsagot naman kami doon," he said.

 

Claudine's 'problem'Santiago also criticized his wife's frequent granting of interviews in relation to the case, as he brought up the alleged "problems" of Barretto which he said he had sought to address together with her parents.

 

"Pwede naman niya sabihin lahat, lalo na mahilig siya sa media, mahilig siyang magpa-interview. Pwede niyang ibato sa akin lahat, lahat ng gusto niyang ibato. Pero, totoo ba 'to?

 

"At uulitin ko ang sinasabi ko -- alam ng mga magulang niya ang nangyayari. Alam niyo ang totoo, tulungan niyo ang anak niyo," he said.

 

On Thursday, Santiago addressed Barretto's parents, Miguel and Inday, in expressing his disappointment that they didn't stand by a decision they supposedly made concerning the actress' condition.

 

"Kay mommy at daddy, alam niyo ang totoo. Tayo-tayo ang nag-uusap dati, 'yung problema ni Claudine. Alam niyo and sana panindigan nila 'yung sinabi nila dati sa akin," Santiago said.

 

At the height of the Barretto family's publicized feud early this year, Claudine's older siblings Gretchen and Joaquin brought up the actress supposed "illness," with the latter saying she was put in a hospital at one point.

 

Responding to Inday's move to disown Gretchen in favor of her youngest daughter, Joaquin in a statement mentioned "the truth about Claudine's condition."

 

"May I remind you that it was you and dad who had her put in a hospital because you wanted to save her from destroying herself. Yes, Claudine is going through rough times. Again. And if you truly love her, then you should take concrete steps to save her rather than hitting Gretchen simply because she is standing up to Claudine," Joaquin said in April.

 

'Battered woman syndrome'?

On Thursday, a tearful Claudine in a press conference admitted seeing a psychologist to deal with her personal problems, which she said stemmed from the abuse she suffered in her marriage to Santiago.

 

"Kinailangan kong magpa-process sa mga pyschologist, sa Gabriela, kung meron ho ba akong battered woman syndrome... Nawalan na ako ng self-esteem, ng self-worth. Hindi lang naman ho pambubugbog 'yung pinagdaanan ko eh, kundi mental torture din," she said, crying.

 

 

Asked for details on the allegations of his wife, Santiago on Thursday only expressed confidence that the truth will eventually come out.

 

"Alam ko na lalabas din ang katotohanan, meron din akong ebidensya... Kahit paano, asawa ko siya. Kahit paano, masakit sa akin na nangyayari 'to lahat, pero 'yun ang gusto niya. 'Yun ang ibibigay ko sa kanya," he said.