Marjorie defends children from Dennis

MARJORIE Barretto defended her children, especially daughter Julia Barretto, from negative criticisms brought by interviews of ex-husband Dennis Padilla.

In an interview with Marjorie at the "My Fair Lady" press conference on Thursday, she said she's irked by Padilla's continued discussion of private matters in public.

She said that what is happening behind closed doors is different from what is projected in front of the camera.

"It's really painful because as much as I know the truth... the whole truth, there's a different side, the truth is different from what he tells everybody. Hindi ko papatulan kasi naawa ako sa mga bata. I wish people will hold their judgment first kasi there's a deeper story and I have no plans of divulging it," Marjorie said.

Marjorie claimed that Padilla would say things during interviews without thinking if these will affect their children.

"He says something else in public. Iba siya sa personal, iba yung sinasabi niya sa inyong lahat. Ako, nasasaktan ako para sa mga anak ko. Sana ipakita na lang niya yung totong pinapakita niya sa mga bata or yung totoong sinasabi niya sa mga anak ko," she said.

She also clarified that her disappointment with Padilla has nothing to do with their separation nine years ago.

The actress said she's moved on already and her main concern is her children.

"Lahat ng hinanakit ko ngayon ay sa mga bata because he puts the children in a position na hindi silang pwedeng lumaban. They cannot fight back kaya. So, napapasama na lang sila kasi hindi nila ini-air yung side nila. Why put our children in that position? I wish na sana he would just support our daughter," she said.

Padilla earlier cried foul when Julia decided to change her surname from Baldivia to Barretto.

In a prior interview, Padilla said the petition was filed by her daughter at the Quezon City Family Court in August 2013 but it was only in July 2014 when he learned of this action.

Julia's camp explained that the petition to change her surname in the birth record "is actually meant to prevent confusion."

It added that it is Julia's right to file the petition and it has nothing to do with issue of financial support, as earlier claimed by the comedian.

Julia said in an interview last February that she does not feel the need to change her surname anymore, hinting that things were finally settled between them. She even invited Padilla to her 18th birthday party in March.

But a month later, Padilla mentioned in an interview that his daughter has yet to withdraw the petition, prompting netizens to bash Julia on social media.

Marjorie said no one has the right to judge or ridicule Julia because she is a "good daughter."

She also wished that things will be settled in private. Glaiza Jarloc/ Sunnex