MANILA, Philippines — Actor Raymart Santiago has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged kidnapping of his daughter, Sabina, following public accusations made by his estranged wife, actress Claudine Barretto.
Through his legal team, Santiago broke his silence on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to address what he described as “false and malicious” claims that he conspired with a former employee to take their child.
The Accusations The controversy began when Barretto took to social media to claim that her personal assistant, Marisol Acap, attempted to kidnap her children.
- The Alleged Link: In a livestream, Barretto suggested that Santiago was “in connivance” with Acap.
- Gag Order: Santiago’s lawyers noted that the actor has remained quiet for a long time in deference to a court-issued gag order related to their pending annulment and custody cases.
Legal Response In a statement sent to the talk show “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Monday, January 26, Santiago’s camp refuted the allegations:
- No Truth: “There is no truth to any of the allegations made… more so our client is not in any way or form involved in the kidnapping incident of his child with Ms. Barretto, if there is indeed any,” the statement read.
- Call for Restraint: The actor’s lawyers urged Barretto to stop “weaponizing” her social media influence to discredit Santiago’s reputation and reminded the public to be discerning when commenting on sensitive family matters.
‘Safe and Sound’ Hours after her initial posts alluding to a kidnapping, Barretto shared a more reassuring update on Monday evening.
- Visual Proof: The actress posted a screenshot of a video call with her children—Sabina, Quiah, and Noah—with the caption “Safe and sound.”
- Lingering Tension: Despite the update, the legal rift between the former couple remains significant, with both sides continuing to navigate a highly publicized and contentious separation.
The incident highlights the ongoing friction between the two stars, whose family disputes have frequently played out in the public eye despite legal efforts to keep the proceedings private. As of this writing, Barretto has not officially responded to the statement released by Santiago’s legal counsel.