Dingdong Dantes and Lindsay De Vera in “Alyas Robin Hood.” | Image: Screengrab from YouTube

For the very first time, Dingdong Dantes debunked the rumors that he had fathered a child of former teenage actress Lindsay De Vera.

During his appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Thursday, May 9, Dantes asserted that there is no truth to claims that he has a love child with De Vera, adding there is need to finally clear his name.

“Wala po. Hindi po totoo,” he said, admitting that he had second thoughts the night before about whether he should speak about the issue.

“Para sa akin po kasi, dahil may mga tumatawag na po sa akin na mga kaibigan, mga kamag-anak, ‘yung mga nagmamalasakit po sa akin, and because I have a responsibility dito sa aking mga mahal sa buhay—responsibilidad ko na klaruhin ang isyung ito dahil mahalagang mahalaga po ang aspetong ito para sa akin,” the actor continued.

The Kapuso actor underscored that he loves his wife and family, so it is his responsibility to clarify the rumors.

“I have a responsibility sa aking pamilya to clear things like this. I love my wife, I love my family very much, my kids. That’s why I’m saying that it is not true. Sa totoo lang, noong una pinagtatawanan lang naman namin ‘to, kami ni Marian,” he remarked.

“Pero dumating na nga rin sa punto na marami nang nakakapanood [sa mga naglalabasang video]. Siyempre, natural lang din na may magtatanong sa akin. Kaya, yeah, once and for all, I’m clarifying na hindi siya totoo,” added Dantes

The “Family Feud” mainstay host remarked that he had no idea why the rumors haven’t died after many years.

“I really have no idea,” he said. “Mahirap magbigay ng mga espekulasyon tungkol diyan dahil, sa totoo lang, first time ko na mapunta sa ganitong sitwasyon.”

“I think it’s okay that I clear it because kailangan po talaga dahil mahal ko ang pamilya ko, kailangan na maging klaro yung mga bagay na ganito,” expressed the actor.

In 2021, De Vera first broke her silence about the rumors, affirming that she had no romantic relationship with Dantes.

“I want to clarify my name as well as Kuya Dingdong’s name that we don’t have that kind of relationship. Wala po kaming gano’ng relasyon,” she said at the time.

“Never akong binuntis ni Kuya Dong and never kaming nagka-relationship. I respect Kuya Dong very much as a person, as a husband, and as an actor,” affirmed the now 24-year-old actress.

Dantes and De Vera first worked together in the 2015 series “Pari ‘Koy,” followed by “Alyas Robin Hood.”

Meanwhile, Dantes has been married to longtime girlfriend Marian Rivera since 2014. They have two kids together, Zia and Sixto.