Gelli de Belen not taking sides on Jennylyn Mercado, Patrick Garcia controversy

Gelli de Belen has clarified that her comments on GTV’s "Chika Cart" were not meant to take sides in the issue involving Jennylyn Mercado and Patrick Garcia. Gelli said her main concern was the welfare of the children involved.

The actress recently addressed the backlash on her podcast, “Wala Pa Kaming Title,” alongside fellow actresses Carmina Villarroel and Candy Pangilinan, as well as her sister, Janice de Belen.

Gelli explained that she appeared on the TV show to promote her film “Mantsa.” She said the show’s format involved guests reacting to issues presented by the hosts.

“Ang premise ng interview that day was pag-open ng show, nasa panel ang mga bisita, which was me at that time. So ang ginawa ng hosts, in-introduce nila ako, meron silang issue na pinakita. Pagbalik sa panel, magre-react,” she explained.

“And ang tinanong sa akin, ‘Anong masasabi mo sa nangyayari?’ Hindi ako tinanong ng mga specific questions about whoever's involved and why it happened. Basta, yung video was actually really about kung ano yung nakita ko at kung ano ang reaksyon ng mga tao doon sa interview at sa video,” she said.

Gelli said the intensity of the public's reactions led her to focus on the children who could be affected by the situation.

“So, siyempre, ang konteksto ko nito, eh, yung reaksyon ng mga tao na talagang very violent and all that. So, natural, may mga batang involved. Ang una kong pinuntahan ay kung paano natin ma-save ang mga bata sa ganitong klaseng pangyayari,” she added.

When Carmina asked whether she was referring to the children from both families, Gelli confirmed that her concern extended to everyone involved.

“Of course. That's why I said, mga bata. Parehong pamilya. Anybody in general. Basta't yung mga batang involved,” she answered.

Gelli also clarified that she was not personally involved in the issue and had simply been asked to comment while promoting her film. She said her perspective was shaped by her experiences as a mother and by seeing how family separation and single parenthood can affect children.

“Bilang ina. At saka bilang someone who has seen the effects of this. Bilang someone who is close to many, many people who have gone and are still going through this. Sabihin na natin, mention na natin na single parents, parents who are separated, lahat yan, nakita ko 'yan,” she shared.

Reiterating her position, Gelli stressed that she had never intended to side with either party. “Wala po akong kinakampihan or kinampihan even on that very day at that very time.”

She maintained that there was nothing wrong with expressing concern about the children’s well-being, emphasizing that this was the reason she spoke up.

“And, even at this point in time, feeling ko naman, wala namang masama na maging concerned tayo sa magiging effect nito sa mga bata. Ayun ang pinaka-goal ko lang,” she said. “I do not have ill will towards anybody. I know I meant well. Thank you and goodbye.”

Gelli became emotional as she wrapped up her explanation, saying, “Pero, ayun lang, 'yun lang ang focus ko.”