MANILA, Philippines — Dennis Padilla said he is giving daughter Julia Barretto the freedom to use whatever surname she wants.
During the press conference for the upcoming movie "Maria Labo," Dennis said he has withdrawn his Motion to Intervene, which aimed to question Julia's petition to change her family name from Baldivia to Barretto, last September.
READ: Julia Barretto keeps mum on issue with dad Dennis Padilla
Baldivia is Dennis's real surname, while Barretto is the surname of Julia's mother, Marjorie.
Earlier this year, Julia said she is withdrawing her petition to change her surname. However, according to Dennis, the ABS-CBN actress still hasn't withdrawn the petition.
Dennis explained that one of the reasons why he gave up on his petition is Julia's age.
"Kasi, number one, kahit manalo ako, kunyari manalo ako na dapat pa rin niyang gamitin ang family name ko, eh 18 na siya, eh. She can still remove it. Kasi karapatan na ng 18-year-old, dahil adult na siya, na magpalit ng family name," he said.
He further said he filed the petition when Julia was still 16.
Dennis claimed he is not given the opportunity to reach out to his children with Marjorie.
READ: Dennis Padilla: Ang magulang, hindi kayang tiisin ang anak
“Hindi ko sila nahihiram saka hindi ko alam kung paano sila iri-reach out, hindi ko alam kung paano ipapadala ang pera, hindi ko alam kung paano sila tatawagan, hindi ko alam kung paano sila ite-text," he said.
"Actually, nagte-text ako at tumatawag pero walang reply. And eventually, ‘yung hinapo ka ba, napagod," Dennis added.
“’Yun siguro ang disadvantage ‘pag walang pera masyado ang tatay," Dennis also said.
READ the original report from Vinia Vivar's Pang-Masa column here