Claudine, Raymart claim they are 'still together'

“We are still together, we have not separated.”

That’s what “beleaguered” couple Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago said in a joint statement, a copy of which was received yesterday by Funfare Update which reported last Thursday, quoting a source close to the couple, that they’ve been separated for two months now even if they’re staying under one roof. Such set-up is not unusual for some showbiz couples, like a very popular one that has been estranged for years but continues to stay together and sleep in separate beds.

The split-up rumor cropped up on the heels of reports that Claudine broke down at a bank when she tried to withdraw P5M from her and Raymart’s joint account (“and/or”) only to be told by the bank’s branch manager that the account had zero balance. It hasn’t been made clear who beat Claudine to the withdrawal.

Funfare Update sources also said that the couple are trying to “iron things out” through their lawyers. If nothing is wrong, what is there “to iron out?” These past months, Claudine and Raymart were said to be having domestic troubles. In a previous STAR interview, Claudine denied reports linking her to other men, including a businessman and an actor-politician who have also claimed to be innocent.

Here’s the couple’s official joint statement in full:

In recent days, there have been numerous negative rumors about our marriage and our relationship, all of which have caused us, our children, and our families undue stress, strain and unnecessary tension.

In order to dispel all these unfounded innuendos, we now publicly declare, in the simplest and clearest terms that: WE ARE STILL TOGETHER, we have not separated, we love each other, and we both value and cherish our marriage and relationship. Any issues that we may have are private, and do not detract from, nor diminish the strength of our marriage. We ask that the public allow us to deal with our minor concerns without the glare and glee of media speculation that only hurt us and those we love.

We are both deeply committed to our two (2) children whom we love unconditionally. As concerned and devoted parents, we shall zealously protect their privacy, and their right to be untouched by malice and gossip. We plead with the public to respect their rights: they are innocent children unjustly harmed by the baseless gossip about us.

We hope that this JOINT STATEMENT settles and lays to rest all questions about us as a couple, and as individuals.

Loud and clear. But the question is: Who called the TV camera crew to cover Claudine’s breakdown at the bank?

And a reminder to Claudine and Raymart and other stars: If you don’t want your “innocent children” dragged into any showbiz mess, shield them from the “glare and glee of the media” and don’t show them off. If you do, you waive any right to privacy and thereby suffer its consequences.

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Manny and Jinkee: Also happily together?

Yesterday, Funfare Update got this alarming text message: BUZZBLAST! Jinkee Pacquiao separates with (sic) Manny Pacquiao, filing for annulment.

Jinkee Pacquiao and Manny Pacquiao

The message must be an offshoot of persistent rumors that Manny has sired a love child with a girl named Kat Ordoñez and the baby was baptized recently with Manny himself, according to the girl Kat, as one of the godfathers. Pictures of the baptism, one of them with Manny holding the baby and seated beside Kat, were posted in the Internet. By whom, it wasn’t made clear.

Days before those pictures surfaced, Jinkee dared anybody to produce any “evidence” of Manny’s alleged “affair,” saying she would give a Hermes bag as a “reward.” She would take back her words and was quoted as saying, “At least I’m the wife, not the mistress,” asking everyone to stop spreading such nasty things to avoid distracting Manny from his training in L.A. for his bout with Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas (Nov. 13, Manila time).

Not one to take a texted “scoop” hook, line and sinker, I asked somebody very close to Jinkee what the real score is.

The friend said that, knowing Jinkee, she doubted very much if Jinkee would resort to such drastic move. “Otherwise,” she added, “she would just make whoever woman is interested in Manny very happy.”

The friend said that Jinkee actually learned about the alleged “other woman” as early as three years ago. Contrary to suspicion, Jinkee was not the last to know. “She was the first to know,” added the friend, “but Jinkee simply shrugged it off.”

The best gauge if something is wrong with Manny and Jinkee will be the Nov. 13 Las Vegas event.

“If Jinkee goes there to give Manny her usual support,” said the friend, “then all’s right with them. If she doesn’t go, then your guess is as good as anybody’s.”

But Jinkee is right.

Added the concerned friend, “Rumor-mongers should refrain from spreading negative things about the couple, at least between now and Nov. 13 kung hindi nila mapipigilan ang kanilang sarili. After all, Manny is our Pambansang Kamao and he deserves all our respect and support.”

I second the motion.