MANILA, Philippines – Richard Gutierrez has quashed rumors that his girlfriend, actress Sarah Lahbati, is pregnant.

"Parang may nagkalat na lang bigla and, all of a sudden, people are asking me that," the 28-year-old actor was quoted as saying by entertainment news site Philippine Entertainment Portal.

Rumors on Lahbati's pregnancy circulated when the actress announced she would be taking a break from showbiz, citing an unhealthy working relationship with her home network.

The 19-year-old actress is now in Switzerland with her family.

"Wala namang pag-usapan dapat na ganun, eh. Walang dapat pag-usapan na ganun... Hindi nga [malaki ang tiyan]. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nila kinakalat 'yung ganyan," Gutierrez said.

"Marami ngang tsismis na umiikut-ikot ngayon and ayaw ko na siyang pansinin, at ayaw ko na palakihin ang mga ganyang isyu na ‘di naman dapat pinag-uusapan," he added.

Gutierrez also said he is "saddened" that Lahbati is now based elsewhere. He said that he continues to communicate with the former GMA-7 talent.

Asked on the young actress' controversial rift with the TV network, Gutierrez said he hopes that matters will soon be resolved between the two camps.