Ivana Alawi named in VAWC complaint; Albee Benitez issues official statement
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Naglabas ng opisyal na pahayag ang newly elected Bacolod representative na si Albee Benitez tungkol sa reklamong isinampa laban sa kanya ng asawa niyang si Dominique "Nikki" Benitez.
Kumalat online nitong Huwebes, May 29, ang bahagi ng reklamong paglabag diumano ni Albee sa Republic Act 9262 o ang “Anti-Violence Against Women and the Children Act of 2004.”
Nakasaad din dito ang akusasyon ni Nikki ng “infidelity” o pakikiapid ni Albee. Aniya, matagal nang may nakarating sa kanyang bali-balitang may ibang babae ang huli. Ngunit hindi niya ito binigyang-pansin dahil wala siyang sapat na basehan.
Nakumpirma lamang daw ito ni Nikki nang maghain ng Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage si Albee, na diumano'y umaming nagkaroon pa ng dalawang anak sa ibang babae. Nakadaan din umano sa naturang petisyon ang “implied admissions of his current illicit relationship with Ivana Alawi.”
Related gallery: Celebrity couples na naghiwalay dahil sa third party
Rep. Albee's official statement
Kaugnay nito, nakatanggap ang GMANetwork.com opisyal na pahayag ni Albee sa pamamagitan ng kanyang legal counsel na si Atty. Peter Sanchez.
Sa unang bahagi ng statement, mariing pinabulaanan ng kampo ng politician-indepent producer ang paratang sa kanya ng asawa niyang si Nikki.
“Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez firmly denies the baseless and retaliatory allegations made against him by his estranged spouse under Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, for alleged economic and psychological abuse. This case was filed shortly after Mayor Benitez initiated annulment proceedings in 2024, raising serious doubts about the complainant's motives.”
Kasunod nito, nag-react din si Albee sa pagkakadawit ng diumano'y third party sa kanilang pribadong relasyon.
“It is equally unsettling that a third party has been unnecessarily dragged into this private matter. The mention of individuals unrelated to the merits of the case only serves to divert attention and inflame public sentiment in the complainant's favor.
“Section 44 of R.A. 9262 explicitly mandates the confidentiality of all proceedings and parties involved. The unwarranted disclosure.”
Sa nakasaad sa pahayag na, “Mayor Benitez remains fully cooperative with all legal processes and is confident that the evidence--financial records, property documents, and testimonies--will disprove these false and vindictive claims.”
Humiling din si Albee sa media at sa publiko na iwasan ang pagse-sensationalize ng naturang isyu.
“We respectfully ask the public and the media to allow the legal system to take its course and to refrain from the unethical practice of sensationalizing this case.”
Basahin ang kabuuan ng pahayag dito:
Matatandaan na noong 2024 kumalat online ang video kung saan nakitang magkasama sina Albee at Ivana sa isang airport abroad.
Nauna na rin itong pinabulaanan ng aktres. Bahagi ng kanyang pahayag, “This will be the first and last time na magsasalita ako tungkol dito.
"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 siya 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."
Sa hiwalay na pahayag, nilinaw rin ni Albee na isang “chance encounter” lang ang kumalat na larawan nil ani Ivana.
Aniya, “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.”
Bukas ang GMANetwork.com sa anumang pahayag na nais iparating ng iba pang involve sa isyung ito.
Samantala, narito ang ilang celebrity couples na nauwi sa annulment:
