Kris Aquino clarifies ties with Claudine Barretto
MANILA — Kris Aquino clarified that she remains on good terms with her “Etiquette for Mistresses” co-star and long-time friend Claudine Barretto, after she appeared to have unfollowed her account on Instagram.

“We have never been not okay,” Aquino said in response to a follower who asked about her relationship with Barretto. “I believe she answered that very clearly.”

“And I am happy for her that this bridge has been rebuilt because the truth will always be — ‘How could we not talk about family when family’s all that we got?’ Sincerely, I am happy for Clau-Clau,” she added.

Aquino was referring to Barretto’s reconciliation with her eldest sister, Gretchen, with whom she had a high-profile feud that even reached the court at one point.

Barretto previously replied in the affirmative in an Instagram live video, when asked whether she is still friends with Aquino, in light of the “Mula sa Puso” star’s renewed closeness with Gretchen.

Gretchen courted headlines in recent months with her vocal support of businessman Nicko Falcis, with whom Aquino is locking horns in court over allegations of theft and threats.

In the wake of Claudine’s reconciliation with Gretchen, chronicled through Instagram posts, Aquino appeared to have stopped following the younger Barretto on the social media platform.

She did not deny this in response to another follower who called her “bitter,” saying, “Sir, if I continue to follow, you will say I am plastic. While the [Philippines] is still a democracy, leave me alone.”

“We can remain friends in real life… Following a person on social media isn’t proof of affection. Keeping a respectful silence is actually a more sincere gesture,” she said.