MANILA, Philippines - Today, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio airs his side of the story on TV5’s social reality talk show Face The People.
Topacio, legal counsel of Claudine Barretto, has been dragged in numerous issues involving him and his client. Since he started representing the actress, rumor has it that his relationship with Claudine is beyond professional — as suggested by his alleged Asian cruise trip with Claudine, their exchanging of expensive gifts and a viral photo showing them both enjoying fish balls on the street. Some say his services for Barretto are also done pro bono.
Barretto rushed to his defense. “Kung lahat nga ng mga lalaki sa mundong ito ay kagaya ni Attorney Topacio, masaya lahat ng mga babae sa mundong ito!” she said when Face The People hosts Edu Manzano and Gelli de Belen sought her reaction about rumors involving her and her legal counsel.
Meanwhile, entertainment columnists took their sides on the issues involving the actress and her lawyer. For showbiz reporter Danny Batuigas, it is obvious that Claudine and Topacio are having an affair. But radio host Richard Pinlac asserts that the relationship of Topacio and Claudine should not be given malice since Topacio is already a family man.
In the end, Claudine zeroes in on her husband Raymart Santiago whom she and Topacio accuse of being an irresponsible father.
Face The People airs weekdays at 10:15 a.m. before Let’s Ask Pilipinas!