Gretchen: ‘Claudine confined for drug abuse’

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Gretchen Barretto has affirmed Raymart Santiago’s claim that her youngest sister Claudine Barretto, Raymart’s estranged wife, was confined in a hospital for drug use, reports pep.ph.

“Raymart is telling the truth,” went the actress’ statement.

According to Gretchen, her father, Miguel Barretto, “pretended to have suffered a heart attack and confined himself in Medical City” in January, 2011, as a mere “ploy to get Claudine confined at the basement for her severe drug abuse and mental condition.”

Practically the entire Barretto family had known about Claudine’s treatment, Gretchen said. “My brother, Mito, and his wife Connie, their son John, Marjorie and my parents planned and witnessed the confinement.”

Claudine’s treatment was continued in a private clinic in Thailand. About a year later, the family was still coping with this situation which prompted Miguel to call a family meeting.

“My father told us that his choice was to see Claudine in the basement and, of course, we all wanted the same thing,” Gretchen said in her statement as published by pep.ph, which concluded with this appeal:

“We do not need to cover up anyone’s stories or put up a front to avoid shame.

“We are beyond that.

“We hear Claudine’s cry for help. Why can’t you?” – Rappler.com