Actress Ivana Alawi. ARCHIVE

Popular actress Ivana Alawi broke her social media silence over the weekend amid a growing controversy linking her to Bacolod City congressman-elect and former mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez. Alawi posted a video of herself smiling inside a car on her Instagram Stories on May 31, and later reshared a fan edit featuring Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi”—both clips posted without any captions. The timing of her posts follows days of speculation after her name appeared in a widely shared complaint allegedly filed by Benitez’s estranged wife, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez-Benitez, under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. In the viral complaint, Alawi was named as the alleged mistress of Benitez, who is also accused of fathering two illegitimate children. As of this writing, Alawi has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations. Benitez, through his lawyer Peter Sanchez, has denied all accusations, labeling them “baseless and retaliatory.” “This case was filed shortly after Mayor Benitez initiated annulment proceedings in 2024, raising serious doubts about the complainant’s motives,” Sanchez said in a statement. Although the lawyer did not directly confirm or deny Alawi’s involvement, he expressed concern over the unwarranted inclusion of a third party. “It is equally unsettling that a third party has been unnecessarily dragged into this private matter… only to divert attention and inflame public sentiment in the complainant’s favor,” he added. Sanchez also cited a breach of confidentiality under the law, which mandates that such cases remain private. “The unwarranted disclosure of identities and unverified claims constitutes a clear violation of this provision,” he noted. Meanwhile, Benitez’s son, actor Javi Benitez, asked the public for empathy. “Please refrain from spreading rumors, fake news, and paid drama,” he said in a statement on his social media. While the online buzz continues to escalate, Alawi has so far chosen silence—a move some interpret as a subtle clapback, while others await an official clarification from the actress. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Ivana Alawi responds to psychic's grim prediction
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