Claudine’s camp: Theft case against actress a diversion, ‘very suspicious’

MANILA, Philippines - Claudine Barretto’s legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said that the case filed against her is merely a diversion.

As previously reported, Claudine’s former personal assistant, Dessa Patilan, accused the actress of theft in a five-page complaint submitted to the Office of the City Prosecutor of Markina on September 11.

But in a statement sent to Philstar.com and other media outfits on Thursday, September 19, Topacio said the said case is Patilan’s “obvious attempt” to divert the issue from a theft case filed against her by Claudine.

Related article: Theft raps filed vs Claudine Barretto

Claudine filed a complaint against Patilan for allegedly attempting to rob her of P8.5-million  worth of valuables four months ago.

“Why did it (case) come four months after the original qualified theft charge against the complainant, when the acts complained of were allegedly done by Ms. Barretto simultaneously with the thievery of Ms. Patilan?” Topacio said in the statement.

Topacio also questioned Patilan’s timing, asking why she filed the case after Claudine filed cases against her estranged husband Raymart Santiago and the “renewal of enmities” between Claudine and her sister Gretchen Barretto.

Claudine recently  sought protection orders and  filed perjury and violence against women complaints against Raymart.

Also read: Gretchen Barretto feels free, ‘vindicated’ amid family issues

He also alleged that Patilan is being represented by a law office that has “previously represented interests identified” with Gretchen and her longtime partner Tonyboy Cojuangco.

These considerations, Topacio said, make  Patilan’s case “very suspicious.”

“As always, our legal team will keep protecting Ms. Claudine Barretto from such harassment suits and we shall never rest until her interests and that of her children, Santino and Sabina, are fully vindicated,” the statement added.