Gretchen bails Claudine's ex-maid out of jail

Claudine Barretto's former personal assistant, Dessa Patilan, speaks with reporters shortly after being released from Marikina City Jail on Monday. ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The former personal assistant accused by Claudine Barretto of robbing her was released from jail Monday, with the help of the former actress' estranged sister, Gretchen.

Nineteen-year-old Dessa Patilan, who stayed at the Marikina City Jail for 10 months, emotionally faced reporters upon her release and thanked Gretchen for posting the P60,000 bail.

"Salamat po sa kanya, dahil kahit ganito lang po ako, tumulong pa rin po siya sa akin. Nagpapasalamat ako sa pag-bail niya sa akin," she said.

When Patilan was asked for her message to Claudine, her legal counsel, Atty. Alma Mallonga, offered to share a recent a conversation she had with her client.

Mallonga said she had asked Patilan whether she is still angry with Claudine for putting her in jail.

Recalling her answer, a tearful Patilan said, "Dati po, meron [akong galit na naramdaman sa kanya]. Wala na po [ngayon]... Si God na po bahala sa kanya."

Patilan was imprisoned in May last year after being accused by Claudine of stealing from her a watch worth P1.8 million and several jewelry amounting to P8.5 million earlier that month.

Four months later in September, Patilan filed a countercharge against Claudine, who she also accused of theft in relation to the same incident in May.

In her complaint, Patilan demanded from her former employer P13,550 in damages, P50,000 in moral damages, P50,000 in exemplary damages, as well as the monetary cost for legal services.

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Gretchen bails Claudine's ex-maid out of jail