Albee Benitez is acquitted in a case filed by his ex-wife
The court dismissed the case filed by Nikki Lopez against Congressman Albee Benitez, which involved actress Ivana Alawi.
In April, a copy of Albee’s ex-wife Nikki’s complaint affidavit circulated on social media. She accused the businessman-politician of infidelity. In this, Ivana’s name was mentioned. Nikki alleged that Albee and Ivana had an illicit affair that affected her.
The Bacolod City Representative denied his romantic connection with the actress. He called this rumor “unsettling.” Amid the issue, Ivana was just nonchalant as she continued doing her usual vlogging, and she did not say anything about the issue.
In the same document, Nikki alleged that Albee had illegitimate children with showbiz personalities Daisy Reyes and Andrea del Rosario.
Based on the article in Abante, in 20-page resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Mikhail Maverick Tumacder stated that Nikki Lopez failed to submit enough evidence to support her complaint that Albee Benitez violated the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.
She filed the case last April, claiming that the extramarital affairs of her partner had brought her “severe mental and emotional distress.”
The prosecutor explained that Nikki was not able to show evidence that Albee had a relationship with Andrea Del Rosario, while his supposed relationship with Daisy Reyes happened before RA 9262 became a law.
When it comes to Albee’s alleged relationship with Ivana, the pieces of evidence that Nikki submitted were just photos, news articles, and the testimony of her brother, which were not enough for the case to prosper.
“To accept the same as gospel truth, without corroborating sworn statements to explain what is being depicted in these photographs, is a dangerous precedent. The evidence submitted does not constitute sufficient proof to charge someone with a criminal indictment,” the resolution stated.