MANILA, Philippines – Richard Gutierrez and former partner Sarah Lahbati are now going through an annulment process over a year after their split, the actor revealed on Friday, January 17.
Gutierrez revealed that he and Lahbati are now “trying to move forward” after getting married in early 2020 following a seven-year relationship.
“Siguro ‘yung tungkol sa amin ni Sarah, ayoko na rin pag-usapan,” Gutierrez said in an interview in Ogie Diaz’s vlog.
“‘Yung mga nangyaring detalye kasi, we’re actually going through an annulment now. Both parties want to move forward. Actually, at this point, naka-move forward na yung both parties.”
(What happened between me and Sarah, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. All the details — we’re actually going through an annulment now. Both parties want to move forward. Actually, at this point, both parties have moved on.)
Gutierrez also shared that they have been co-parenting their children, Zion and Kai, since their split in late 2023.
However, their breakup was only confirmed in March 2024 by Lahbati herself, albeit no reason was disclosed.
“May equal time kami with our kids. Parang nagcocoparenting kami and ang priority namin is to make sure that the kids live a good life, a happy life,” said Gutierrez.
“Of course, kung happy siya sa buhay niya at happy ako sa buhay ko, makikita ng mga bata yun. Ang importante sa amin ay ang mga bata.”
(We have equal time with our kids. We’re like co-parenting and our priority is to make sure that the kids live a good life, a happy life. Of course, if she’s happy with her life, and I’m happy with my life, the kids will see that. What’s important for us are the kids.)
The Incognito actor also denied his mother Annabelle Rama’s involvement in his marital woes after the celebrity mom was on the receiving end of negative online accusations of her son’s breakup.
Gutierrez admitted he felt sorry for how netizens dragged his mother’s name into the controversy as one of the culprits in the split.
“Naaawa nga kami sa mom namin kasi nung pumutok ‘yung issue tungkol sa hiwalayan namin, parang siya ‘yung napagbintangan na cause,” Gutierrez said.
(I felt sorry for my mom because when the separation issue came out, it’s like she was accused as the cause of the split.)
Gutierrez recalled that his mother wanted to fight back online, particularly against comments accusing her of meddling in Gutierrez’s marital problems.
He also noted that his siblings had since advised their mother to disregard online talks about their split.
“Kilala naman natin ang nanay ko… Masarap na kaibigan, masamang kaaway,” he said. “Bago lang siya sa social media… So may nababasa siyang mga negative comments, gusto niyang patulan lahat.”
(You know my mother…She’s a good friend, but she can be your worse enemy. She’s just new in social media… So when she reads those negative comments, she wants to answer them all.)
Gutierrez also came to the defense of current partner Barbie Imperial, who, the actor said, came to his life long after he and his ex-wife Lahbati ended their relationship.
“Ang gusto ko lang siguro i-clarify doon sa mga tao is that si Barbie walang kinalaman sa paghihiwalay namin ni Sarah. Hindi siya third party, hindi nag overlap,” he said.
(What I want to clarify to people is that Barbie has nothing to do with my separation with Sarah. She’s not a third party, it didn’t overlap.)
“Maraming mga tao, mga bashers, nagsasabi na siya ang dahilan. Wala siyang kinalaman. Nakilala ko si Barbie matagal na kami nagkahiwalay ng landas ni Sarah. Gusto ko lang i-clarify, siyempre parang ang daming nag re-react sa kanya, mga naghi-hate comments sa kanya. Siyempre, kailangan ko siyang protektahan.”
(Many people, the bashers, they say that she’s the reason. She has nothing to do with it. I met Barbie long after Sarah and I went our separate ways. I just want to clarify, because there are so many reacting and sending her hate comments. Of course, I need to protect her.)
The two have been rumored to be together since last year following the split, sparking rumors about Imperial’s involvement.
Gutierrez said he no longer wants to dig up the past and hopes he and Lahbati move on with their lives.
“Kung ano man yung dahilan, matagal na panahon na yun. Naka-move on na kami pareho. 2025 na, gusto ko magsimula yung taon na maganda, peaceful, at happy… Let’s leave that past in the past,” he said.
(Whatever the reason was, it was a long time ago. We’ve both moved on. It’s 2025, I want the year to start good, peaceful and happy… Let’s leave the past in the past.)
“Basta ako ang wish ko lang ay sana maging masaya siya (Lahbati) sa lahat ng nangyayari or decision niya kasi ako moving forward, happy din ako.”
(My only wish is for her to be happy with everything that happened or with her decision, because I’m moving forward, I’m also happy.) – Rappler.com