ACTRESS Claudine Barretto revealed she has received threats allegedly from her older brother Mito Barretto, prompting her to take legal action.
In an interview with Direk Chaps Manansala and Jobert Sucaldito, Claudine said her brother threatened to expose her alleged drug use and to grant media interviews against her.
“Ayaw ko na sanang ilabas ito,” she said. “But when your life is being threatened or your reputation is being threatened… I’m scared for my life also and my children’s lives.”
The actress said she had filed a cease-and-desist letter but was still receiving anonymous calls.
Barretto also denied being the source of a story discussed in the vlog of columnist Cristy Fermin, which alleged that actress Marjorie Barretto, another sister, lost her hearing after being punched by former partner Dennis Padilla. The story also claimed Marjorie had slashed Padilla’s back.
Claudine said she had nothing to do with the claim and denied siding with Padilla. “Hindi ko kakampihan si Dennis sa ginawa niya kay Marjorie,” she said. “Pero hindi naniwala ang kuya ko.”
According to Claudine, her brother’s anger stemmed from the false assumption that she was the source of the story. She said she and her brother were once close, and she had even helped support his children.
“Once upon a time, napaaral ko ‘yung mga pamangkin ko, nabayaran ko ‘yung renta ng bahay nila,” she said. “Ayokong manumbat, pero minsan, pag sobrang sakit na ng sinasabi n’yo, gusto ko lang kayong paalalahanan.”
She said she has the full support of their other siblings and their mother, Inday Barretto, and vowed to take legal steps.
“I am not the Claudine that you can bully around,” she said. “Kuya ka man, ate ka man, lolo ka man o lola ka man, wala akong utang na loob sa inyo—pero kayo, malaki ang utang ninyo sa akin.”
Barretto said she is ready to bring the issue to court.
“Respect is earned,” she said. “And I’m suing.”
