Ruffa Gutierrez has declined to confirm the rumors that her brother, actor Richard Gutierrez, is expecting a child with actress Sarah Lahbati, who fled to Switzerland in January due to a disagreement with her home network GMA-7.

“I can’t comment on that because I haven’t seen the alleged new addition to the family,” Ruffa was quoted as saying in an article on ABS-CBNNews.com. "Once I see with my own two eyes… I’ve never actually asked Chard about it because during the time when the news came out, wala akong naramdamang stress sa aming pamilya na namomroblema sila (I didn’t feel any stress or or heard about any problems from our family.).”

The former beauty queen added that she would have heard from Richard if the rumors turned out to be true.

“Feeling ko hindi totoo 'yung tsismis because feeling ko naman they would tell me just in case na totoo,” she said. “Hindi naman pwede itago ang isang sikreto (I think the rumors aren’t true because I have a feeling that they would tell me just in case it turned out to be true. We can’t keep that a secret.). If ever there is a child, I’m very happy and we should consider it a blessing if there is one. Huwag naman natin sila unahan (Let’s not preempt them.).”

Ruffa also revealed that her family likes Sarah, and that she will support Richard should he wish to settle down with the young actress.

“For me, Sarah is a very nice girl. She is really welcome in our family,” she said. “If Richard sees having a future with her, I would definitely support them because nakita ko na galing sa mabuting pamilya si Sarah at mahal na mahal si Chard (I saw that Sarah came from a good family and that she really loves Chard.).”

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)