Claudine Barretto vows to get stolen millions back from estranged husband: 'Kukunin ko na ulit kung ano yung akin'

"Kukunin ko na ulit kung ano yung akin." These words came from "The Optimum Star" Claudine Barretto, who claimed that her estranged husband, Raymart Santiago, wiped her savings when they were still together.

"We're talking about hundreds of millions na. Ang iniwan sa akin was P25,000. Sa isang bangko pa lang was, like, P116 million," Claudine alleged in an interview with Luis Manzano's YouTube show, Luis Listens on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

According to the actress, she earned the money from her previous ABS-CBN shows, Mula sa Puso and Saan Ka Man Naroroon, but she claimed Raymart took it away from her. Claudine further noted that this amount can help her sustain her children's needs, especially for education.

"Since malaki na yung mga anak ko, Sabina wants to study abroad, Santino's in Brent. And alam naman natin kung gaano kamahal nun," she said.

"So, this time, malaki na yung mga anak ko, in-explain ko na, 'Okay, we have to, kukunin ko na ulit kung ano yung akin,'" she added.

Claudine also said she didn't care about the money before as she didn't want to ruin Raymart's image for their children. 

"We were still together. Kasi nga, kukunin pa niya sa sino yung mga pinagtaguan niya nung perang yun. Kasi, ayoko siyang matulad sa parang na, you know, yung tatay ng mga anak ko magnanakaw. Ayoko, ayoko. Kaya hindi ko nilaban yung pera noon," Claudine explained.

The local actress continued, "But now na lumalaki yung mga anak ko, tapos kukunin mo yung bahay namin, 'dun na.'"

The on-going cases

According to Claudine, she has filed several cases against her ex-lover. These include Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), annulment, custody battles, and money and property issues. At the same time, the actress also revealed that she suffered from "battered-wife syndrome" and "post-traumatic disorder" because of their situation.

“Nakiusap yung ex-husband ko na i-drop yung VAWC kasi nga nagkaroon na ng warrant of arrest. And nahihirapan ako kasi, siyempre, ayoko naman makulong yung tatay ng mga anak ko. Pero I never brought up yung money issue," she narrated.

'You're not giving what's for my kids'

Claudine was surprised by Raymart's custody request, considering their children's current age and relevant legal provisions.

"Pero how can you ask for custody, Sabina is 19 years old, 16 years old si Santino? So, it's really parang impossible. Parang nanggugulo lang."

According to Claudine, Sabina, and Santino will again be on the witness stand as part of the custodial process. The former cleared that she asked for the "blessings" of her children before pursuing these cases as she didn't want to drag them into the situation.

"So, balik na naman tayo, tapos pupunta ulit yung social worker sa bahay, interviewing a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old. Pati nga yung social worker na ano sa amin, e, naawa na sa mga bata. So, parang ang point ko, ‘Ah, okay, ano na yung mga anak ko na, mga anak na natin ang tinitira mo? Ang sinasaktan mo? Hindi mo tinatantanan?'" she said.

Claudine then emphasized, "Di ba parang, ah, iba na to. If I was weak before, ngayon para na akong lion. Do not touch my kids. You're not giving what's for my kids. You took away what's for my kids. So, you have to give it back."

'Ipaglaban mo lahat'

Just like their role in the iconic 2000 Filipino family drama film, Anak, Claudine shared how Vilma Santos, Luis' mom, played a vital role in coming up with these decisions. She said the "Star for All Seasons" prompted her to "fight for what is hers."

“'Ipaglaban mo yung pagiging nanay mo. Ipaglaban mo yung pagiging asawa mo. Pagiging wife mo,'" Claudine shared to Luis what the latter's mom said to her.

“'Ipaglaban mo lahat 'yun. Kunin mo kung ano yung nawala sa'yo,'" she added.

Claudine and Raymart got married in a civil ceremony in 2004. A church wedding followed in 2006. They had a falling out in 2013 and have since been working on getting their marriage annulled, with Claudine last addressing the issue publicly in August 2022. Sabina is their adopted daughter, while Santino is their biological son.

In May 2023, the ex-couple reunited for their children's graduation and recognition ceremonies.