Inday Barretto accuses Raymart Santiago of abuses against Claudine; actor responds

Trigger warning: Mentions of physical and sexual abuse

MANILA, Philippines — The Barretto family is once again at the center of controversy after matriarch Estrella “Inday” Barretto accused actor Raymart Santiago of physically and sexually abusing her daughter, actress Claudine Barretto, during their marriage — allegations the actor has since denied through his legal team.

Inday, mother of Claudine and her celebrity sisters Gretchen and Marjorie, claimed her daughter endured repeated physical and emotional abuse. She recalled distressing phone calls from Claudine crying for help and said she once found her daughter bruised and dragged through the mud.

“There was one time he dragged Claudine… I didn’t see it, but I could hear shouting from the garage. People were screaming, ‘Stop, stop!’ I saw him chasing Claudine like she was a frightened mouse, trying to escape. When she reached the door, he caught her and grabbed her. Everyone outside was shouting, ‘Stop it!’”

Inday said they later found Claudine on the terrace, surrounded by household staff who tried to calm and clean her after the alleged incident. She also claimed that they eventually brought her daughter to Thailand for treatment following the traumatic experience.

She further alleged that Santiago had “taken advantage” of Claudine during their marriage.

The Barretto matriarch also denied long-standing rumors that Claudine had a substance abuse problem, explaining that any medication her daughter took was prescribed to manage her anxiety and trauma.

Inday also issued a warning to Santiago’s current partner, actress Jodi Sta. Maria.

She went on to claim that the same financial and emotional struggles Claudine allegedly experienced could also happen to Sta. Maria if she is not careful.

“This fool [Santiago] is reportedly building a house with Jodi. When she stops being Jodi Sta. Maria, she’ll lose everything. It’s up to her; I’m speaking from experience. I’m not gonna say good luck to her, I’m just gonna pray for her. But proceed at your own risk.”

The Barretto matriarch ended her interview with a scathing statement: “Ang Diyos ni Raymart, si Satanas. Ang Diyos namin nasa taas.” (Raymart’s god is Satan. Our God is above.)

“I will not die until I finish this. And he [Raymart] better watch out. I’m gonna get him and then I can rest in peace,” she declared.

The interview quickly went viral, which led to Santiago’s camp responding through Calleja Law Firm and called the accusations “untruthful and slanderous.”

“It is very unfortunate that Mrs. Barretto opted to resort to publicity to spread this untruthful and slanderous narrative about our client and his marriage with Ms. Claudine Barretto,” the law firm said in its official statement on Monday.

Signed by lawyers Howard Calleja and Katrin Jessica Distor-Guinigundo, the statement suggested that the issue stemmed from a property dispute involving the former couple.

Santiago’s lawyers reminded the Barretto family that the Family Court, Branch 5 of Mandaluyong City, had issued a gag order on Sept. 20, 2023, prohibiting both parties from making public statements about the case.

“Our client has faithfully complied, having kept his peace all these years. It is his hope that Ms. Claudine, her family, and agents would do the same, out of respect for the courts of justice and more importantly, for the sake of their children,” the statement read.

The firm ended with a warning: “Any utterances in contravention of the law shall be dealt with before the appropriate forum to protect our client’s rights and preserve his interests.”

Claudine and Santiago married in 2006 but separated several years later, engaging in public disputes that played out both in court and in the media.

Santiago and Sta. Maria’s relationship was confirmed in October 2020.