Claudine Barretto, Raymart Santiago on separation rumors: 'We are still together'

Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago have broken their silence regarding the rumors that have been spreading that they have ended their 5 years of marriage.

In a joint statement, the celebrity couple said they are "still together" and that they both "value and cherish our marriage and relationship."

Rumors say that Claudine and Raymart had been separated for two months and that Claudine has been trying to buy a new house. The mysterious "disappearance" of the balance of the couple's joint bank account was also linked by entertainment sites to their alleged split-up.

Claudine and Raymart said that the said rumors have caused them and their kids "undue stresses, strain and unnecessary tensions."

Check out below the official joint statement of Claudine and Raymart in full:

In recent days, there have been numerous negative rumors about our marriage and our relationship, all of which have caused us, our children, and our families undue stress, strain and unnecessary tension.

In order to dispel all these unfounded innuendos, we now publicly declare, in the simplest and clearest terms that: WE ARE STILL TOGETHER, we have not separated, we love each other, and we both value and cherish our marriage and relationship. Any issues that we may have are private, and do not detract from, nor diminish the strength of our marriage. We ask that the public allow us to deal with our minor concerns without the glare and glee of media speculation that only hurt us and those we love.

We are both deeply committed to our two (2) children whom we love unconditionally. As concerned and devoted parents, we shall zealously protect their privacy, and their right to be untouched by malice and gossip. We plead with the public to respect their rights: they are innocent children unjustly harmed by the baseless gossip about us.

We hope that this JOINT STATEMENT settles and lays to rest all questions about us as a couple, and as individuals.