GRETCHEN Barretto knows how to throw a good party. And so when the qualfied theft case filed by Kris Aquino against former business manager Nicko Falcis was dismissed by the Makati city prosecutor, the former actress of course celebrated by throwing a party at her home in Makati last Saturday, Feb. 23
In social media posts, Gretchen was spotted with some friends including manager Bettina Aspillaga, Dolor Guevarra, as well as Frontrow head and actor RS Francisco. The caption of the photos read: “Thanksgiving celebration for our dearest [Nicko Falcis] [Jesus Falcis] and I love you … and I need you.”
Jesus is the lawyer brother of Nicko. Kris has also sued Jesus for cyber libel. Neither of the Falcis brothers were seen in the pictures taken during Gretchen’s thanksgiving party.
In case you’re wondering what Gretchen has to do with the case, here’s the thing: she technically doesn’t. But in the weeks after the two parties filed cases against each other, Gretchen publicly sided with the Falcis brothers.
Gretchen later accused Kris of meddling in the alleged tax cases of a certain Alice Eduardo, owner of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation. Kris has denied the accusation.
Gretchen’s accusations were also debunked by former Bureau Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, who described as “straight out of a comedy script.”
Gretchen Barretto is the partner of business tycoon Tonyboy Cojuangco, Kris Aquino’s cousin.
Meanwhile, the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office has also dismissed Aquino’s qualified theft complaint against her former business partner Falcis, documents released on Tuesday show.
Aquino filed separate complaints against Falcis in seven cities, including Pasig, accusing him of using a credit card issued by the actress’ production company for unauthorized personal expenses.
“The credit card used by respondent (Falcis) was neither stolen, lost, expired, revoked, cancelled, suspended or obtained with intent to defraud,” the Pasig resolution dated February 15 read.
Senior assistant city prosecutor Aileen Sabarre added: “The credit card was voluntarily issued to respondent under his name. Thus, when the respondent used the credit card for purchases at Lucendi and Toby’s Estate in Pasig City, the credit card cannot be considered as unauthorized within the tenets cited by law.”
The qualified theft complaint in Pasig is the second such case filed by Aquino against Falcis that has been dismissed, after a Makati prosecutor made a similar ruling. She also filed complaints in San Juan, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Quezon City, and Manila.
In a statement, Falcis’ lawyer, Atty. Regi Ponferrada said: “We would like to thank the good prosecutors of Makati City and Pasig City for remaining true to their duties of upholding justice and fairness. We hope that the other prosecutors handling the other cases will also dismiss the cases against Nicko.
“Nicko is innocent of the charges against him. He is a victim of an evolved kind of bullying and we hope that the persecution will stop sooner rather than later.” (ABS-CBN News)
