Mayor Albee Benitez clarifies 'chance encounter' with Ivana Alawi

Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez wants to set the record straight about the photo of him and actress Ivana Alawi that has been circulating online.

In a statement sent to the media and posted on Facebook account, Mayor Albee said, “I am fully aware of the video footage that has been circulating which unfortunately does not accurately explain why I was in Tokyo. I went there on a business trip as stated in my official travel order.

“Speculations involving Ms Ivana Alawi are untrue and only serve to put malice into what was clearly a chance encounter.

“I apologize to Ms Alawi and her family who have been unfairly dragged into issues concerning my private life. There is no truth to any and all the rumors spreading and I am setting the record straight to avoid further hurt and damage to them.

“Maraming salamat po.”

Likewise, Ivana Alawi earlier denied rumors linking him to Mayor Albee and said that she's currently dating a businessman.

Part of her statement read, “HINDI PO AKO ANG NASASABING girlfriend ni Mayor Albee Benitez.

I met him when I had work in Bacolod. He was very accommodating and friendly. At hindi lang sya ang politikong nakilala ko at naging kaibigan.

“I am currently seeing someone who makes me happy. All I can say is that he is a respectable businessman and not a Politician.”

Meanwhile, check out Ivana and her sister Mona Louise's bonding moment here: