Inday Barretto, the mother of actresses Gretchen, Marjorie, and Claudine Barretto, has confirmed that Claudine’s husband, Raymart Santiago, is no longer living with her daughter and their two children.

“Raymart left home? Yes, it is true. For a cooling off period? — Sana,” Mrs. Barretto had written in a statement published in the Philippine Star on April 24. “But if God wills it to be permanent, huwag naman sana (I hope it won't stay that way.).”

Mrs. Barretto also took the opportunity to defend Claudine in the feud currently waging between the siblings, even calling Gretchen “a liar” because of the latter's alleged snide remarks toward her younger sister a few days ago.

She also refuted Gretchen’s claims that Claudine is out to ruin the budding showbiz career of Marjorie’s daughter, Julia Barretto.

“You claim Claudine said, 'She will block Julia’s entry to Star Magic…' Why would she? Next to Marjorie, No one can love those (Marjorie’s) children more than Claudine!!!” she had written. “There is a track record to that. At hindi isang kagaya mo lang ang maka-manipulate niyan (And a person like you cannot manipulate that.).”

“Do not call Claudine evil!” she continued. “For the longest time now and all these years you did nothing but make it your favorite pastime to play with the lives of my family, the family you are ashamed to own, in spite of the fact that I brought you all up well… You have attacked, accused, maligned and tried to destroy each and every one of us in the eyes of society, starting from your father, I, your mother, and each and everyone of your siblings including their partners!”

Mrs. Barretto also said that she is prepared to do everything she can to defend her family’s reputation this time.

“Gretchen, I am not a wimp, never been one, but lahat may hangganan (everything has a limit.),” she said. “I have protected you all these years without exposing to the world the real you. But you have pushed many of us to the wall. There’s no other way but for us to defend our names! I have always loved you as one of my own, and always will, but [the] love of my family belongs to the heart and not in the garbage can! I am letting go of a child now who never wanted me in order to save one who has always been there for all, and with all of her love… Claudine!”

(Photos courtesy of PEP.ph)