[REPOST] Is Jake Really the Father? Andi Speaks up

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Actress Andi Eigenmann neither confirmed nor denied the claim of her half-sister that Jake Ejercito is the biological father of her 5-year-old daughter.

The “Camp Sawi” star released a statement on Friday, explaining her decision to keep the identity of Ellie’s father from the public and eschewing press interviews about it.

“Recent events have put my daughter Ellie into the limelight with the media, netizens, and strangers questioning who her father is. I made a conscious choice not to talk about the paternity of my daughter in order to protect the privacy of Ellie,” she said.

“Although she was born into a showbiz family, as a mother, I would like to shield her from the intrigues and gossip that are part of the industry. Growing up, Ellie knew who her father was and he has been there for her, and that’s all that matters. I hope this will put the issue to rest, out of concern for my very young daughter. I’m requesting everyone to respect the privacy of Ellie.”

Last week, Max Eigenmann, Andi’s half-sister, claimed that a DNA test has proven that Jake is the father of her niece. “They did a test. Yeah, he [Jake] is the dad,” Max told Mo Twister in an episode of the host’s podcast, “Good Times with Mo.”

Jake has yet to speak up on this disclosure.

[WATCH] Max Eigenmann Reveals that Jake Ejercito is the Father of Andi’s Daughter, not Albie Casiño

In past interviews, however, Andi said that Jake is the closest “father figure” to Ellie. “Si Jake ‘yung nandiyan since the beginning and he loves my daughter like his own, and so he’s the father.”

However, that was before Andi got into a heated exchange with the son of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Twitter, and claimed that she “never” needed him for anything.

Meanwhile, former “On the Wings of Love” star Albie Casiño, whom Andi’s family tagged as the father during the height of the actress’ pregnancy, hampering his career as a young actor, recently expressed relief over the news.

“I’m just happy that the truth is out, I can finally relax now,” he said in a statement released through Cosmopolitan Philippines.