Rita Daniela files acts of lasciviousness case against co-star Archie Alemania
Rita Daniela is taking legal action against fellow Widows' War actor Archie Alemania after he allegedly touched her without consent.
According to a report from 24 Oras, Daniela filed an act of lasciviousness case against Alemania before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Bacoor City together with her lawyer and brother.
The actress and singer claimed in her complaint-affidavit that Alemania made some vulgar statement towards her when they attended a Thanksgiving party together back in Sept. 9 earlier this year, which her lawyer said already made her uncomfortable.
"Doon pa lang, naooffend na si Rita. She felt uncomfortable already, but she did not confront Archie during that time kasi ang dating sa kanya baka he did not mean it, na lasing lang and nagbibiro lang," Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque told the news outlet.
When the party ended, Alemania, 46, offered Daniela, 29, a ride home, to which she accepted as she regarded his gesture as something that an older brother would do.
However, as they were driving, the comedian suddenly reached out and began caressing her shoulder and neck.
"I already felt uncomfortable during that time, but I was confused that he was just comforting me as an elder brother since I told him about what happened to my mother in our conversation inside his vehicle," Daniela said in her complaint.
She alleged that when they reached the front of her house, Alemania "forcibly got hold of my head and locked it with his grip and gave me a torrid kiss on the lips with his tongue out trying to put it inside my mouth."
After pushing him away and opening the door of the car, Daniela recounted being pulled back as Alemania began hugging her tightly from behind, groped her breast, and "smashed it lasciviously."
"This is not easy for Rita. Any woman–it's really hard for them to come out and magsabi ng ganitong mga krimen and mag-file," said Atty. Marie Glen-Abraham-Garduque.
Alemania has since reached out to the actress via text to apologize for his actions, reasoning that he was drunk at the time, but he has yet to comment on the issue publicly.
Daniela is known as the Grand Champion in the first season of Popstar Kids and went on to star in the top-rated television drama My Special Tatay alongside Ken Chan. Alemania, meanwhile, is a current mainstay of Bubble Gang since 2016.