After Claudine and Gretchen Barretto reconciled between 2011 and 2012, they became embroiled in another feud, this time aligning against their sister Marjorie.
Claudine vs Gretchen and Marjorie
According to a PEP article, the tension reignited in April 2013 when Gretchen and Marjorie exchanged comments on Instagram defending Marjorie’s daughter, Julia Barretto, from a basher. Their remarks, which many believed were directed at Claudine, fueled speculation about renewed conflict within the Barretto family and Claudine’s reported personal struggles.
Gretchen also responded to her followers, explaining the reason behind their anger toward the basher.
“The basher warned us that if Julia entered Star Magic, she would do everything to ruin her because she claims she is the teleserye princess and will remain that way till the end of eternity,” Gretchen wrote.
This prompted some netizens to speculate that Claudine was the alleged basher.
Barretto vs Barretto
The exchange quickly drew reactions from other members of the Barretto family, including their mother, Inday Barretto.
In a special episode of The Buzz on April 13, the issue was examined in detail, also involving the Barretto siblings who are not in showbiz.
Mommy Inday released an official statement, published in Ricky Lo’s FunFare column in The Philippine Star, criticizing Gretchen and defending Claudine. She opened her statement bluntly: “You are a liar, Gretchen.” Inday accused Gretchen of wanting to ruin Claudine.
In the days that followed, Barretto family members publicly took sides, fueling widespread online attention. Brother J.J. defended Gretchen, highlighting her sacrifices for the family, including giving up her education to support her siblings and cover household expenses when their father Miguel faced health issues.
He also criticized their mother for allegedly favoring Claudine, putting her “on a pedestal,” while showing less consideration for the other siblings.
Meanwhile, the fourth sibling, Gia, defended their mother Inday, claiming J.J.’s statements were biased and questioning Gretchen’s financial contributions, asserting that their father had always managed to provide. She emphasized that while the family wasn’t wealthy, they were never poor, listing their comfortable upbringing, including large homes, air-conditioned rooms, ample food, exclusive schools, country club memberships, and having personal aides.
However, in a 2013 episode of The Buzz, Gretchen’s close friend Tanya Montenegro disputed Gia’s claims, clarifying that the family was middle-class, the homes were rented, and it was J.J. who drove his siblings to school—not a chauffeur. She also recalled an incident where she had to intervene with school authorities to prevent Gretchen from being removed from class over unpaid tuition.
The Barretto Patriarch sided with Claudine
According to the same PEP article, on October 1, 2013, Miguel Barretto accompanied his youngest daughter, Claudine, to a press conference at Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City to address Raymart Santiago’s drug use allegations. Miguel openly showed support for Claudine and criticized his other children—Gretchen, Marjorie, and J.J.—calling them “hypocrites” and “bullies.”
Marjorie responded, saying she was hurt by their father’s statement and emphasizing that Claudine is strong and could not be bullied. Gretchen also released a statement expressing pain at being labeled a “bad child.”
Little did the public know that years later, the passing of a Barretto family member would once again spark a very public dispute.
This article is part of a series exploring the Barretto family’s colorful and eventful history beyond showbiz.
Part 2 of 3
Read part 1: The Barretto Feud: The sisters’ early rivalries on and off-screen
Read part 3: The Barretto Feud: Family Losses, Conflicts, and Healing
PUSH SAGA is a series focusing on subjects that have captivated audiences. We delve deeper into that fascination each month with new stories.