Amidst the long-standing tension in the Barretto family, **the issue of the conflict** between **Dani Barretto and her father, Kier Legaspi**, has flared up again—now, it has become even more controversial when **Gretchen Barretto, Dani’s aunt, openly defended Kier** and criticized her niece in public.

In several interviews and social media posts in recent months, **Dani Barretto has expressed her deep resentment towards her father**, citing his alleged “neglect” while she was growing up. According to her, **Kier was not an active part of her life**, and all support came only from her mother, Marjorie Barretto.

But now, **new flames have broken out** when **Gretchen Barretto** issued a bold statement, allegedly due to her frustration with Dani’s treatment of her father.

> *”It’s sad to think that a son can destroy his father in front of the public, when we don’t know the whole story. Kier may not be perfect, but he doesn’t deserve this kind of cruelty from his own child.”*

He added, **the nephew’s accusation** is not true, and it seems that the issue was used to gain sympathy from the public.

While **Kier** has not yet issued an official statement, several people close to the actor said that **he was deeply hurt by his son’s words**.
> *”Kier is quiet but we know his heart is broken. He loved Dani as much as he could, even if he wasn’t always visible to the public,”* said a friend of the actor.

On social media, **the public** was divided. Some sided with Dani and said that she had the right to express her opinion, especially if her experience was true. But many also **supported Kier and Gretchen**, believing that it was not right to make such matters public.

> *“There are no perfect parents, but it hurts for a father to lose his own child,”* commented a netizen.

Some fans also couldn’t avoid **re-linking the long-standing feud between sisters Gretchen and Marjorie Barretto**. According to them, **it’s possible that Gretchen’s defense of Kier has a personal motive**, especially since Marjorie is Dani’s mother.

While the statements from both sides continue to heat up, **Dani Barretto** is still silent after Gretchen’s defense of Kier. It’s unclear if she will release another statement or remain silent.

The drama in the Barretto family seems endless — and with each new issue that erupts, the boundaries of love and forgiveness within a family are tested again.

Gretchen Barretto defends Kier Legaspi; takes a swipe at sister Marjorie
Gretchen Barretto: “Maybe Kier’s fault with Dani is that he’s not rich.”
Gretchen Barretto defended actor Kier Legaspi in connection with the statements made by actress Dani Barretto’s nephew.

Kier is the biological father of Dani, who is the eldest child of Gretchen’s sister Marjorie Barretto.

Kier and Marjorie were both young when the latter became pregnant. Dani was the result of their love.

In her YouTube video on March 16, Dani said that she and her father Kier were not on good terms and that only her mother Marjorie raised her.

Dani also said about Kier: “To be honest, my dad and I never really had a solid relationship.

“All I know is he’s my dad, and that’s it.

“We had a brief relationship, which was, like, two months, and it was nice.

“I’m not gonna say it like I didn’t love him and I’m not gonna say I don’t love him.

“I guess when you’re apart for so long and you already grew up and you’re used to not having that person in your life, you just feel, like, not that you don’t need the person… but it’s more like you’re okay without them.”

Gretchen echoed Dani’s statement.

Gretchen stated on her Instagram Live this past Thursday morning, March 21, “Kier Legaspi was not a wealthy father.

“Maybe if Kier is guilty of Dani, it’s because he’s not rich.

“He’s not the mayor of Caloocan, right, that he doesn’t have a lot of money.

“That’s Kier’s only fault.”

Gretchen refers to the “mayor of Caloocan” as former Caloocan Mayor Recom Echeverri.

Marjorie has been linked to Echeverri for a long time but until now there has been no direct admission or confirmation from either side.

Gretchen added about Kier, “So, that’s the only fault, but he always tried. Kier Legaspi always tried to be a part of Dani’s life.

“But Dani’s mom just did not allow it because in the beginning… too much information.

“That’s it, I stop there,” she restrained herself.

Gretchen added, “You know, I love Dani, and my heart is burning honestly as somebody who took care of her and I really, really wish that she could have a little gratitude in her heart.”

FAMILY FEUD
In 2015, Gretchen exclusively told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that she and Marjorie had a “silent war”.

The deep conflict between Gretchen and her parents, Miguel and Inday Barretto, is also not unknown to many.

In Gretchen’s Instagram Live earlier with her youngest sister Claudine Barretto, the two were asked by their friends about their relationship with their parents.

According to Claudine, “Okay. We’re okay.”

Gretchen, on the other hand, admitted about her parents, “I’m not okay and I must stop there.”

It’s been six years since the public first learned that Gretchen’s relationship with her parents was strained because of her siding with Raymart Santiago, Claudine’s estranged husband.

Gretchen also said in 2013 to her mother: “To my abuser, my mother, know that I am a person, not a creature at your whim.

“You can use religion and cultural norms to deflect from the fact that you are abusive.

“But I stand before you, unafraid, ready and able to stop your abusive ways.

“You have succeeded in breaking me over and over again because I am your child and you know me well.

“But I know you as well, and I know that the truth terrifies you, and I hold the truth. Stop the abuse. Stop it now.”

Like her parents, Gretchen also had a falling out with Claudine.

They recently made up.

PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) is open to any disclosures that anyone mentioned in this article may make.