Javi Benitez breaks silence on legal issue between parents, hopes for reconciliation
Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez has broken his silence on the marital dispute between his parents, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and Nikki Lopez-Benitez, which has now been taken to court.
In a Facebook post, Javi opened up about how he didn't want to speak up on the matter but acknowledged that he needed to share his truth as he wished for his parents' reconciliation.
"Ang mga totoong nakakaalam ng buong kwento… tahimik lang. Hindi sila nasa balita. Hindi rin sila nagpo-post. 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, referring to his sister.
"Sana balang araw, makahanap din kami ng tamang pag-ibig. ’Yung hindi nasusukat sa pera, status, o panlabas na imahe... kundi sa respeto, lambing, at tunay na partnership sa buhay," he continued.
Javi went on to express his gratitude towards those who extended well-wishes to him amid the difficult moment before urging the public to choose to be kind.
"Alam ko, hindi lang kami ang may ganitong sitwasyon pero sana maiayos din sa huli," he said.
"Move on na tayo sa chismis, fake news, at paid drama. Ang dami pa nating kailangang ayusin sa bansa. Doon tayo mag-invest ng energy. Sa huli, hindi views, likes, o pera ang sukatan ng tao, kundi ang puso. Let’s choose to be kind," he ended.
In a document circulating on Reddit and social media, Nikki accused her husband of violating Republic Act 9262, also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, for alleged economic and psychological abuse.
She alleged that Albee admitted to having fathered two illegitimate children and further hinted at an "illicit relationship" with social media star Ivana Alawi.
"I felt utterly betrayed by the Respondent and was devastated beyond compare after finally discovering and confirming the truth in the Respondent's lies," Nikki said.
However, Albee brushed off his wife's allegations through a statement from his legal counsel Atty. Peter Sanchez, obtained by The Philippine STAR.
"Mayor Alfredo Abelardo 'Benitez' Benitez firmly denies the baseless and retaliatory allegations made against him by his estranged spouse," it read.
The statement emphasized the mayor's disappointment with his estranged wife for "unnecessarily" dragging names into their private matter.
"It is equally unsettling that a third party has been unnecessarily dragged into this private matter. The mention of individual unrelated to the merits of the case only serves to divert attention and inflame public sentiment in the complainant's favor," the statement read.
Ultimately, Albee's lawyer assured that he is "fully cooperative with all legal processes and is confident that the evidence—financial records, property documents, and testimonies—will disprove" the "false" and "vindictive" claims of Nikki.
