ACTRESS Claudine Barretto has come out in full support of singer Jojo Mendrez amid the latter’s legal dispute with actor Mark Herras.
Barretto, dubbed the “Optimum Star,” posted a video message on social media expressing sympathy for Mendrez after he filed a grave threat complaint against Herras before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on April 4.
In the video, Barretto addressed Mendrez directly, sharing that she had just returned from a trip to Lanao del Sur and Cagayan where she had limited cellphone signal. Upon learning about the controversy, she said she immediately tried to reach out to him.
“Hi kapatid, hi Jo! I’ve been trying to call you and message you… I’ve been trying to reach you dahil nalaman ko kung anong nangyayari sa’yo,” Barretto said.
The actress also offered words of encouragement, reminding Mendrez to stay strong and to be wary of people who may take advantage of him.
“Wag kang matakot, nandito lang ako. Ang daming nagmamahal sa’yo… Alam kong mabuti ’yung puso mo. Pero next time, mag-iingat ka sa mga taong puwedeng mang-abuso sa’yo,” she said.
Barretto became emotional toward the end of her message, reiterating her loyalty and concern for the singer, whom she considers family.
“Kung nasasaktan ka ngayon, nasasaktan din ako. At alam kong nasa tama ka. As long as nasa tama ka, kung sino ang kalaban mo ay kalaban ko rin. Mahal kita, kaya andito ako bilang kaibigan, bilang kapatid,” she said. “’Wag kang matakot. Nandito kami. Walang puwedeng manakit sa’yo.”
As of this writing, neither Herras nor his camp has issued a public statement in response to the complaint.
