Albee Benitez, pinabulaanan mga akusasyon sa VAWC case na isinampa ng kanyang estranged wife

- Congressman-elect Albee Benitez rejects his estranged wife Nikki Lopez-Benitez’s allegations of economic and psychological abuse under RA 9262, calling them baseless and timed after his 2024 annulment filing

- Benitez’s lawyer claims all marital assets—including luxury homes and shares—were funded by Benitez but registered under Nikki’s name; he also allegedly supported her and her family for over 20 years

- The inclusion of a third-party in the complaint was condemned by the mayor's camp as an attempt to manipulate public opinion and sensationalize the issue

- Benitez’s legal team says the disclosure of unrelated individuals may violate Section 44 of RA 9262, which mandates confidentiality in such cases

Congressman-elect and businessman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has refuted allegations filed by his estranged wife, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez-Benitez, under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262).

The complaint, filed after Benitez initiated annulment proceedings in 2024, accuses him of economic and psychological abuse dating back over two decades.

Benitez’s legal counsel, Atty. Peter Sanchez, questioned the timing and credibility of the charges.

“Every property acquired during the marriage—including the multi-million peso residences in Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village—was fully paid for by Mayor Benitez using his own resources, but titled in the name of the complainant, Dominique Lopez-Benitez,” he said. The list also includes condominiums, luxury vehicles, and publicly listed shares.

Despite the dissolution of their property regime in 2004, Sanchez noted that Benitez continued to support Nikki and her extended family, covering travel expenses, business ventures, and credit card bills for over 20 years.

Benitez’s camp also criticized the inclusion of a third-party in the complaint, calling it a ploy to sway public opinion.

“Involving individuals who have no bearing on the legal issues only inflames the situation and distracts from the facts,” they said.

Sanchez warned this could breach Section 44 of RA 9262, which ensures confidentiality for all parties.

Benitez reiterated his willingness to cooperate with authorities and asserted that documentary evidence would refute the claims.

“We ask the public and media to respect due process,” he said.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a 61-year-old woman died after being run over three times by two SUVs and a sedan at Illinois Street and Aurora Boulevard in Barangay Silangan, Quezon City, on May 17. The victim was initially struck by an SUV, then hit again by a second SUV and a sedan moments later, GMA News showed. QCPD is reviewing CCTV footage and has urged the involved drivers to cooperate with the investigation. The incident has raised public concern over road safety and calls for stricter traffic enforcement in the area.

Still in other news, a 16-year-old girl in Antipolo accused a tricycle driver of forcibly taking her to a hotel instead of bringing her home after work around 3 a.m. The victim said the driver ignored her pleas and sped up when she asked to be let off, "binilisan pa niya lalo 'yung takbo ng tricycle niya, natatakot na po ako nun." At the hotel, CCTV showed the driver holding her arm, and the girl said: *"hihingi po sana ako ng tulong kaso natatakot po ako sa kanya." The hotel cashier refused to let them check in after suspecting something was wrong, prompting the girl to threaten to report the driver, who then fled the scene, according to ABS-CBN.

Source: KAMI.com.gh