Albee Benitez rues 3rd party inclusion in wife’s VAWC complaint

Tinawag na “baseless and retaliatory” ni newly elected Bacolod City Congressman at Brightlight Productions owner Alberto “Albee” Benitez ang mga alegasyon ng estranged wife nitong si Dominique “Nikki” Benitez.

Tanghali ng Huwebes, May 29, 2025, kumalat sa social media ang kopya ng sworn Complaint Affidavit ni Nikki na nag-aakusa kay Albee ng “infidelity”—o pakikiapid— sa dalawang babaeng kanya rin daw naanakan.

Nabanggit dito ang pangalan ng Kapamilya actress-vlogger na si Ivana Alawi, na ayon sa Complaint ay kasalukuyang karelasyon ni Albee.

Dahil sa pakikipagrelasyon ni Albee sa ibang mga babae, nadurog daw nang husto si Nikki at tuloy dumanas ng “mental or emotional anguish.”

Ito raw ang nag-udyok sa kanyang sampahan ng reklamong paglabag sa Republic Act 9262, o Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC), ang asawa.

ALBEE BENITEZ DENIES NIKKI BENITEZ’S ACCUSATIONS

Mariing pinabulaanan ni Albee ang mga akusasyon ni Nikki sa pamamagitan ng legal counsel nitong si Atty. Peter Sanchez.

Naniniwala si Albee na ang pinag-ugatan ng reklamo ni Nikki ay ang paggulong ng annulment case na isinampa ng dating alkalde noong 2024 para mapawalang-bisa ang kanilang kasal.

Iginiit ni Albee na matagal na silang may hindi pagkakaunawaan ni Nikki, partikular na sa mga ari-arian — mga bahay, lupa, sasakyan, condominium units — na si Albee raw ang bumili ngunit ipinangalan sa kanyang misis.

Mababasa sa pahayag ng kampo ni Albee: “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.

“The VAWC complaint hinges on allegations dating back as far as 21 years ago.

“Every property acquired during the marriage—including the multi-million peso residences in Forbes Park and Dasmarinas Village—was fully paid for by Mayor Benitez using his own resources, but titled in the name of the complainant, Dominique Lopez-Benitez.

“This also includes high-value assets such as condominium units, luxury vehicles, and a substantial amount of publicly listed shares, all of which were funded by Mayor Benitez but registered under her name.”

Ayon pa rin sa statement ng kanyang abugado: “Despite a judicial dissolution of their property regime in 2004, Mayor Benitez continued to provide not just ordinary support but a high standard of living, shouldering personal, household, and even extended family expenses for more than two decades.

“This included the complainant’s travel, business ventures, staff, and credit card charges—even long after their separation.”

ON INCLUSION OF IVANA ALAWI’S NAME

Hindi rin daw maintindihan ng kampo ni Albee kung bakit may mga pangalang nadadawit sa personal na isyu nila ni Nikki.

Hindi nagbanggit ng pangalan ang abogado ni Albee, ngunit nakasaad sa Complaint Affidavit ni Nikki ang tungkol sa “implied admissions of his current illicit relationship with Ivana Alawi.”

Tingin daw ni Albee ay taktika lamang ito upang ilihis ang katotohanan at idiin siya sa hindi naman daw niya ginawa.

Saad ng abogado ni Albee: “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 of identities and unverified claims constitutes a clear violation of this provision.”

Sa huli, sinabi ng kampo ni Albee na handang makipagtulungan ang kongresista para mailabas ang katotohanan at malinis ang pangalan nito sa mga akusasyon ng asawa.

Nakiusap din ang kampo ni Albee sa publiko at sa media na hayaang gumulong ang hustisya at iwasang i-sensationalize ang kasong ito.

Nakasaad sa statement ni Atty. Peter Sanchez: “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.

“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.”