Claudine Barretto, ex-aide swap theft raps

From accused to accuser.

A former personal assistant of Claudine Barretto has filed a complaint for theft against the actress, more than four months after the alleged incident in Marikina City.

In a complaint-affidavit filed in the Marikina City prosecutor’s office on Sept. 11, Dessa Cadelario Patilan said she lost more than P13,550 worth of valuables when Barretto went to search Patilan’s room in the actress’ house at Loyola Grand Villa on May 10.



The search happened after Barretto accused her of theft and reported this to the local police station, she said.

Patilan alleged that Barretto took her cash amounting to P10,700 and her tablet computer, and asked that the actress pay some P113,000 to cover the cost of the lost items as well as moral and exemplary damages, apart from lawyer’s fees.

Sought for comment, Barretto’s legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said he and his client had yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“That’s what we complained about (against Patilan),” he said, referring to the qualified theft charges they earlier filed against her. He said Patilan was just getting back at the actress with a “countercharge.’’

He said Patilan “was dismissed from service (by Barretto) a long time ago’’ and that it was puzzling that she was filing the complaint only now.

The actress would issue a statement today to answer the complaint, Topacio said.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

MIAA chief: Security personnel ready to testify on Raymart-Tulfo scuffle

While it does not have any closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to help clear the mess, the Manila International Airport Authority is ready to have its security personnel testify on the scuffle involving columnist Ramon Tulfo and actor Raymart Santiago at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 Sunday.

In a radio interview Monday, MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado said his men will be ready to testify if called by the court.

“Pag pinatawag sila ng korte, siyempre haharap sila,” Honrado told dzBB radio.

He said this was the next best thing to CCTV footage, saying the NAIA-3 baggage area had no working CCTV equipment.

Tulfo and Santiago engaged in a scuffle at the NAIA-3’s baggage area Sunday, after Santiago saw Tulfo taking footage of actress Claudine Barretto – Santiago’s wife – scolding an airline attendant over their missing luggage.

While Santiago said Tulfo tried to punch him when he asked what he was doing, Tulfo said Santiago and some companions ganged up on him. Both are taking their fight to the courts.

Statements from security personnel

Honrado said that while there was no CCTV at the baggage area where the fight occurred, there were statements taken from security personnel there.

“May mga salaysay na kinuha rito. Kung hahanapin ng korte ang salaysay, ibibigay sa korte kung magkaroon ng kaso,” he said.

On the other hand, Honrado admitted he could not guarantee there will be no repeat of what happened Sunday.

“Hindi kasi araw-araw na nangyari. Mula ako naupo rito ngayon lang ako nakakita ng suntukan sa baggage area,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

After airport scuffle, Raymart Santiago, Ramon Tulfo continue fight in court

A day after figuring in a scuffle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), actor Raymart Santiago and columnist Ramon Tulfo are holding the next round of their "fight" in court.

On Monday, Tulfo went to Pasay City Hall to lodge a complaint against Santiago and his wife, actress Claudine Barretto, and several "John Does," for physical injuries.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Tulfo's lawyer Mario General said: "Definitely, we're going to file a criminal case against husband and wife, and John Does for physical injuries."

General said they are just waiting for the final medical report of Tulfo.

Meanwhile, in a separate radio dzBB report, Santiago said he also intends to file a complaint against Tulfo for physical injury and coercion.

When asked in an interview if he intends to sue Tulfo, Santiago said, "Opo (yes)."

Tulfo and Santiago engaged in a fight at the NAIA-3 Sunday afternoon after Tulfo started taking footage of Barretto as she was complaining to a Cebu Pacific attendant about their baggage, which was not loaded on their flight from Boracay.

Santiago claimed that Tulfo tried to punch him when he approached him and asked why he was taking footage.

On the other hand, Tulfo claimed that Santiago and his companions ganged up on him.

PO2 Joel Landicho of the Pasay City police said they have obtained statements from Tulfo and the Santiagos.

"Ito tinatawag nating complaint against complaint, meron silang kanya-kanyang alegasyon," Landicho said. - VVP/HS, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com