Friday, May 3, 2013

Gretchen Barretto to sue sister Gia for libel

Gretchen Barretto has broken her silence regarding the controversy she's currently in with members of her family, saying she will sue sister Gia Barretto-Reyes for libel.

The actress was attacked by her Boston-based older sister Gia through the latter's statement published in The Philippine Star. It belies Gretchen's "claims of financial support" and says it has no basis "because [their] dad always managed to provide."

The statement also said that their brother Joaquin's support of Gretchen was only done because he is in the employ of the actress.

With regards to helping their family, Gia quoted Gretchen as saying, 'I just disappear when things get tough.'

Gretchen has kept her silence since her mom issued the shocking statement that disowns her and takes the side of Claudine. On Thursday night, however, Gretchen replied to pep.ph via a text message saying she's taking legal actions against Gia.

"Forgive me, Jo-Ann, masakit pag-usapan o balikan ang aking nakaraan.

"I was advised by my lawyers here in Manila and our American lawyers to keep mum.

"We will let the case speak for itself.

"Masakit itong gagawin kong hakbang pero kinakailangan para makamit ko ang aking katahimikan."

When asked if she's suing Gia in the U.S., the actress said her lawyers told her she can because the person she's suing is based there.

"Yes, Gia is based in Boston. Our local lawyers, the Siguion-Reyna group, advised that we take action there."

The controversy started when Gretchen got irritated at Julia Barretto's, her niece, basher on Instagram. Thinking, and quite sure, it was Claudine, she started posting angry messages, and although she didn't mention the name of the person she's directing it to, any showbiz fan would know it was for her younger sister.

It was followed by Claudine's posting on her Instagram account a photo of her and daughter Sabina while cleaning Raymart Santiago's Porsche. The car was mentioned in one of Gretchen's posts insinuating that Claudine did something bad to it.

Their mother Inday Barretto eventually released a statement through Ricky Lo's PhilStar column supporting Claudine. Joaquin then released his own statement through pep.ph in support of Gretchen. It was followed by Gia's statement which was sent to their mom, who, in turn, sent it to Ricky Lo for publishing. Just last Sunday, Inday released another statement via The Buzz. Tanya Montenegro, Gretchen's best friend, was interviewed in the same episode, siding with Gretchen.

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