Actress Claudine Barretto has openly accused her estranged husband, actor Raymart Santiago, of misappropriating “hundreds of millions” from her. In a candid YouTube vlog with Luis Manzano, Barretto discussed her legal battle to recover the substantial funds she claims Santiago took.
Barretto revealed her struggles during a heart-to-heart with Manzano, mentioning how Vilma Santos, a maternal figure to her, encouraged her to fight back. “Itong recently, I was having a nervous breakdown kasi nga parang may mga humaharang sa mga projects… Tapos I was telling her (Santos) nga ‘yung mga problema ko sa court—ito ‘yung huli na parang feeling ko walang justice na nabibigay,” Barretto explained.
She initially filed a VAWC case against Santiago, which she dropped at his behest. Santiago, according to Barretto, made promises including financial support for their children, but failed to keep them. “Sabi niya, ‘Pumunta ka sa korte. Magdemanda ka. Ipaglaban mo ‘yung pagiging nanay mo; ipaglaban mo ‘yung pagiging asawa mo; kunin mo kung anong nawala sa’yo,'” Barretto quoted Santos as advising her.
The stakes are high as the former couple navigates annulment and custody battles for their children, Sabina and Santino. “Malaki na ‘yung mga anak ko. Sabina wants to study abroad, Santino is in Brent—alam naman natin kung gaano kamahal ‘yon. Since hindi niya nabibigay ‘yung support na inorder ng court, ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi ng mom mo na ipaglaban ko,” she told Manzano.
Barretto detailed a specific incident where a large sum was withdrawn from her account, leaving only a fraction of the original amount. “This time, kukunin ko na ulit kung ano ‘yung akin. We’re talking about hundreds of million ha… Sa isang bangko pa lang was like P116 million, and ang iniwan was P25,000,” she disclosed.
Previously hesitant to tarnish Santiago’s image as the father of her children, Barretto is now determined to seek justice. “But now na lumalaki na ‘yung mga anak ko [tapos] kukunin mo ‘yung bahay, ‘yung bahay namin? Do’n na—okay, magba-VAWC na tayo. Kukunin ko na kung ano ‘yung dapat sa akin. Maglabasan na tayo,” she stated firmly.