Gretchen Barretto sees no return to showbiz
Former actress Gretchen Barreto is apparently leading a quiet life after being excluded by authorities in the missing sabungeros case.
Recently, Barretto was seen by some members of the entertainment media having lunch at a hotel. After a few chats with the media, she was asked if she would return to show business anytime soon. She sparingly said, “Peaceful, quiet life," before eventually leaving the venue.
In July 2025, whistleblower Dondon Patidongan tagged businessman Atong Ang and Barretto as among the persons allegedly behind the abductions of missing sabungeros. He accused them, as well as Eric Dela Rosa and Celso Salazar, of being the masterminds in the case of not just 34 but over 100 missing sabungeros.
Barretto, through her legal counsel, Alma Mallonga, has since denied Patidongan's allegations, saying it is based on suspicion and that her client "has no relevant knowledge" of the disappearances.
"She did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that was suspended more than two years ago, and was merely an investor in the business (one of about 20 investors categorized as alpha members)," Mallonga said.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency, relatives of the missing sabungeros are asking for the Department of Justice's reconsideration, claiming members of the Pitmaster Alpha Group, which includes Barretto, agreed to kill victims in detention due to cheating, and that they are linked to a kidnapping conspiracy resulting in homicide.
Last December, the DOJ dismissed a criminal case linking her and other stakeholders of Ang's cockfighting venture, Pitmasters Live.
However, Ang and 17 co-accused now face arrest warrants for kidnapping with homicide, alongside charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. He is now considered the "number one most wanted" in the Philippines due to how "dangerous" he is. A P10 million reward will be given to those who can provide any information leading to Ang's arrest.
