(From left) Linda Marie Gorton and Dennis Padilla. Images: Instagram/@lindamarie_gorton, @dennisastig
Linda Marie Gorton, Dennis Padilla’s Filipino-Australian ex-girlfriend, denied that they had a “formal conversation” about co-parenting their children, saying Padilla only wanted to be in contact with their kids.
Gorton was reaction to Padilla’s April 12 interview with entertainment journalist Aster Amoyo, wherein he claimed that he and his ex-partner are co-parenting their children, and that he was providing child support for them. He also shared that he had applied for a visa to visit them in Australia.
On Instagram on April 28, Gorton said that no such “formal conversation” about co-parenting their kids took place between her and Padilla.
“We don’t have a co-parenting set up because since we parted ways in July of 2020, we never had a formal conversation about our separation and how we will raise our kids. Basta nakakausap niya lang ang mga bata (He just stays in contact with the kids),” she said.
Gorton further said Padilla never showed “consistency in child support,” pointing out that “there were many lapses” on the actor’s end, where it came to the point that she had to “persistently ask” for the former’s help.
“Consistency in child support wasn’t always the case. Through the years, there were many lapses in between. And many times I had to, and still have to persistently ask for it kasi kung papabayaan ko matagal at kulang kulang ang padala,” she said. “Because I also work here, ako ang nagpuno sa mga pagkukulang na iyon.”
(Consistency in child support wasn’t always the case. Through the years, there were many lapses in between. Many times I had to, and still have to persistently ask for it because if I let him off, the support would be lacking. Because I also work here, I had to fill in the gaps.)
Gorton then belied Padilla’s remark on how tough it is to financially support their Australia-based children, saying their expenses are “normal” knowing that “no tuition are needed” since they go to a public school.
“The support he gives to the children, when spent here, lumiit na kasi the actual cost of living in Australia is far more expensive compared to the Philippines. And not to mention they go to school here for free. No tuition fees are needed because they both attend a public school. So less expense for him really,” said Gorton, who is now based in Australia.
Beyond misunderstanding
The former Mrs. Universe Australia also clarified that there were more underlying reasons behind their 2020 split, although she opted to not disclose any details on the matter.
“It was never about financial problems. I stayed with him for almost 12 years, mayroon man kami o walang pera. I stayed for him and I stayed for the kids because I wanted a complete family for all of us. But just like most things in life, you can’t have everything you want,” she said.
Despite this, Gorton said she learned the value of “patience” and “speaking the truth” after their split.
“In the end, if there were many new things that he learned in life just like he said, so did I. I learned more about self-worth, patience, understanding, and to only speak the truth,” she said.
The actor has yet to respond to Gorton’s statement, as of this writing.
Excluding Gavin and Maddie, Padilla has five other biological children, namely, Diane and Luis Gatus (with Monica Gatus); and, Julia, Claudia, and Leon (with Marjorie Barretto).
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