BACOLOD City – Lone District’s Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has welcomed the decision of the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office to dismiss the complaint filed against him by his wife, Nikki, for alleged violations of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act.
The case previously drew widespread attention on social media after portions of a 25-page complaint-affidavit — allegedly filed by Nikki Benitez — surfaced online and were circulated across various Facebook pages and online news platforms.
On July 10, although details of the dismissal order were not made public, Benitez issued a statement expressing his satisfaction with the prosecutor’s resolution.
“After a thorough legal review, the prosecutor found no basis to charge me with economic abuse or psychological violence,” he said. “The allegations were unsupported by evidence and did not meet the legal standards for criminal prosecution.”
The solon added that he remained silent throughout the process out of respect for his family and trust in the legal system.
“This resolution confirms what I have maintained from the beginning — that the accusations were baseless and malicious,” he stated.
Benitez appealed to the public to allow his family, especially his children, the privacy to move forward and be spared from further controversy.
Earlier, Atty. Peter Sanchez, legal counsel for Benitez, also released a statement reiterating his client’s denial of the “baseless and retaliatory” allegations made by his estranged wife.
The complaint was filed shortly after Benitez initiated annulment proceedings in 2024, which, according to Sanchez, raised serious doubts about the motives behind the accusations./PN
