Barretto Camp Urges Caution Amid Allegations
MANILA, Philippines — The legal team of actress Gretchen Barretto insists that filing complaints against the whistleblower linking her to the missing sabungeros case is “not very helpful now.” Lawyer Alma Mallonga emphasized that most people have already formed opinions, making such legal action less effective at this stage.
From the start, Barretto’s camp has focused on repairing the damage to her reputation caused by these accusations. The four-word keyphrase remains central to the unfolding narrative: filing raps not helpful now.
Legal Strategy Focuses on Reputation Repair
Mallonga explained in a recent interview that pursuing legal charges is a long and arduous process, which may not sway public perception at this point. “She’s downhearted by all of this, and her filing a case now is not very helpful within the context of people having already made up their minds,” she said.
She appealed for the public to be more discerning about the accusations and asked listeners to carefully evaluate the evidence—or lack thereof.
Whistleblower’s Claims Under Scrutiny
The whistleblower, Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who was once closely involved with businessman Atong Ang’s cockfighting operations, accused Barretto of being an “alpha member” of the Pitmaster Group and claimed she was aware of the missing cockfighters’ abduction.
Despite these allegations, Barretto’s lawyer dismissed Patidongan’s claims as “fantasy, invention, and nonsense,” explaining that the whistleblower has yet to provide any signed affidavit or solid proof backing his statements.
Furthermore, Mallonga mentioned that if Patidongan’s accusations prove false, they could pursue perjury charges, which carry severe penalties, including the absence of probation.
Barretto’s Response to Allegations
Barretto herself issued a statement last week clarifying her position. She claimed to be merely an investor in the Pitmaster Group and denied any involvement or knowledge regarding the sabungeros who disappeared between 2021 and 2022.
Meanwhile, Patidongan appealed directly to Barretto, urging her to help expose the truth and testify against Ang. However, Barretto’s camp remains focused on repairing her public image rather than engaging in legal battles at this time.
As the case develops, the debate continues over the truth behind these serious claims. For now, Barretto’s camp asks the public to withhold judgment until facts are fully verified.
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