The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the complaint filed against actress Gretchen Barretto and several others in connection with the disappearance of e-sabong workers, ruling that the accusations were unsupported by evidence.
In a 120-page joint resolution, the DOJ panel of prosecutors described the allegations against Barretto and the supposed “Pitmaster Alpha Group” as “speculative and uncorroborated.”
Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan had earlier claimed that Barretto participated in meetings where decisions were allegedly made to punish sabongeros accused of cheating. However, prosecutors concluded that the claims lacked factual basis.
According to the resolution: “The Patidongan brothers merely alleged that these persons attended meetings where decisions were supposedly made to ‘punish’ cheating sabungeros. However, there is no showing that they gave direct orders, participated in logistics, or had knowledge of the specific abductions. Their alleged ‘approval’ during meetings was unsupported by any document, recording, or independent witness.”
The panel stressed that presence in a meeting—without proof of participation, instruction, or knowledge—does not constitute probable cause, noting that no evidence linked Barretto directly to the abductions.
Citing lack of merit, prosecutors dismissed the complaint, but clarified that the case may be reopened should new evidence emerge that directly ties Barretto or the other individuals to unlawful detention.
Following the DOJ’s decision, Barretto’s camp released an official statement through her lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga: “As Ms. Gretchen Barretto had steadfastly maintained, there is no truth to the accusations against her. She played no part in the case of the missing sabungeros. Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed.”
Mallonga added that Barretto is “grateful to all those who expressed their support and who stood by her throughout her ordeal.”
While Barretto and others were cleared, the DOJ found prima facie evidence to file charges of kidnapping with homicide or kidnapping with serious illegal detention against businessman Atong Ang and 21 others over the disappearance of several sabungeros.
The case remains one of the most high-profile investigations involving the e-sabong industry, which was ordered suspended nationwide in 2022 following a series of disappearances.
