Ivana Alawi (left), and the family of Bacolod City congessman-elect Albee Benitez. Combined images from Instagram, Facebook.
Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, the son of Bacolod City congressman-elect Albee Benitez, broke his silence amid allegations of an extramarital affair between his father and actress Ivana Alawi.
In his Facebook post, Javi, who is an incoming Negros Occidental congressman, said that at first he did not want to add to the controversy hounding his parents’ current status, saying those who are “in the know” tended to also keep to themselves.
“Ayoko na sanang magsalita, pero alam kong hindi ko rin ito maiwasan. Ang hiling ko lang: sana magkaintindihan pa rin ang mga magulang ko, bilang magulang namin ni Bettina, at kung maaari pa, bilang mag-asawa rin,” he said.
(I really didn’t want to speak up, but I can no longer avoid it. My only request is this: I hope my parents will still get along, as parents to my sister Bettina and I, and as husband and wife.)
“I hope that one day, we would be able to find the right kid of love for us, one that cannot be measured by money, status or public image… but with respect, affection and true partnership in life,” Javi further said. He was previously in a relationship with actress Sue Ramirez.
At the same time, Javi asked for kindness and for every one to not believe rumors, fake news, and “paid drama.”
“There’s still a lot of things to do in our country. Let’s invest our energy there. In the end, it’s not the views, likes or money that should be the measure of a man, but what is in his heart. Let’s choose to be kind,” he said in his post.
Attached to Javi’s post was a picture of their entire family, which was supposedly taken in 2023.
On Thursday, social media was barraged with posts showing copies of a complaint for violation of the violence against women and children law (Republic Act No. 9262) supposedly filed Javi’s mother, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez-Benitez against her husband, the elder Benitez, who is also the incumbent mayor of Bacolod City.
Based on social media posts, Nikki accused Albee of engaging in extra-marital affairs, including one with actress Alawi. The complaint was supposedly filed before a court in Makati City.
Benitez, through a statement released by his lawyer Peter Sanchez to the media, denied the allegations for being “baseless and retaliatory,” saying this made the complainant’s motive doubtful.
According to the statement, the release of the VAWC complaint was released after Benitez initiated annulment proceedings in 2024.
On the matter of Alawi’s supposed involvement with him, Benitez’s lawyer made no mention of the actress, but accused his wife of “unnecessarily dragging” a third party into their marital affairs, and that the latter had the intention of “[diverting] attention and aflame public sentiment” in her favor.
“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,” Sanchez said.
Alawi and Benitez first addressed romance rumors in February 2024 after they were supposedly spotted by eagle-eyed netizens on trips to Baguio and Japan. Benitez also claimed in a separate statement that his interactions with Alawi are merely “professional,” and that he and his wife Nikki have not been together for “several years.”
Aside from his political endeavors, Benitez is also a businessman, being the founder of Brightlight Productions, which is involved in TV and film production, and as blocktimer in several TV networks. He was also involved in the gaming business through his other company, Visayas Cockers Club, Inc. which was a licensee of Pagcor to operate e-sabong, though this was later on revoked by former President Duterte.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Alawi’s manager Perry Lansigan and her management, Star Magic, but they have yet to address the legal claims made against her. The actress, however, posted an image of herself on her Instagram Stories the next day. /edv