NEWS ALERT Star Magic answers Alfie Lorenzo's accusation that ABS-CBN is using Judy Ann for Claudine's comeback

"ABS-CBN believes that Ms. Claudine Barretto [left] made a name in showbiz and has a loyal following because of her popularity and hard work, and has no need of any help from Judy Ann Santos [right] or bitter old man posing as showbiz journalist," part of Star Magic's statement with regards to Alfie Lorenzo's (inset) claim that ABS-CBN is using his ward, Judy Ann, for the showbiz comeback of Claudine.

Mariin ang paniniwala ng talent manager at columnist na si Alfie Lorenzo na ginamit ang alaga niyang si Judy Ann Santos sa pagbabalik-telebisyon ng ABS-CBN Star Magic artist na si Claudine Barretto.

"Oo, tama kasi kailangang gumawa ng ingay dahil nagka-comeback si Claudine," sabi ng manager ni Judy Ann sa panayam sa kanya ng The Buzz na ipinalabas kahapon, May 18.

Ang tinutukoy ni Alfie ay ang pagpasok ni Judy Ann bilang endoser ng isang brand ng shampoo kasama si Claudine para mas gumanda raw ang imahe ng nagbabalik na aktres.

"Naiinis ako," sabi ni Alfie. "Yun bang parang they try to find a way para magkaroon ng ingay ang comeback ni Claudine at ang ikinaiinis ko, lumang style na ‘yon. Ba't hindi na lang baguhin kung paano, di ba?"

Kaugnay nito, naglabas ng statement ang Star Magic on behalf of Claudine sa mga pahayag ni Alfie laban sa aktres, sa ABS-CBN, at dzMM. Narito ang kabuuan ng statement na ipinadala ng Star Magic sa The Buzzbilang sagot sa mga pahayag ni Alfie.

"This is in reference to the recent statements of Mr. Alfie Lorenzo in connection with Ms. Claudine Barretto. In last Sunday's, May 10, 2008, edition of StarTalk, Lorenzo made some comments regarding his artist, Judy Ann Santos, ABS-CBN, and dzMM.

"At one point, he said that Judy Ann was taken as an endorser of a shampoo brand to enhance the image of Ms. Claudine Barretto. Mr. Lorenzo insinuated that this supposedly helped in the showbiz comeback of Claudine. He went to say that without Judy Ann, Claudine would not have had a successful re-entry in showbiz.

"In clarification, Claudine and Judy Ann along with Ms. Gretchen Barretto, Ms. Ruffa Gutierrez we're signed as endorsers of a campaign coincided with Claudine's return to showbiz after giving birth. This is not part of any dirty tactics to use or exploit anyone.

"ABS-CBN believes that Ms. Claudine Barretto made a name in showbiz and has a loyal following because of her popularity and hard work, and has no need of any help from Judy Ann Santos or bitter old man posing as showbiz journalist. ABS-CBN has high regard for Claudine as with other artists."