The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has junked the criminal complaint of infidelity filed against Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez by his estranged wife, Dominic “Nikki” Lopez.

Lopez had accused Benitez, reportedly a strong contender for the speakership of the House of Representatives, of violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 that includes alleged illicit affairs with women, that allegedly included popular actress Ivana Alawi.

In a 20-page resolution, Asst. City Prosecutor Mikhail Tumacder found nothing in the evidence presented by Lopez to establish probable cause to charge Benitez.

“All told, complainant failed to present sufficient evidence which would convince this Office that a reasonable certainty of conviction may be achieved if this case is filed in court,” said Tumacder.



The investigating prosecutor concluded: “Wherefore, it is respectfully recommended that the complaint for violation of Secs. 5 (e)(2) and 5(l) of RA No. 9262 against respondent Alfredo “Albee” Bantug Benitez be dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.”

Represented by the Fortun and Santos Law Offices, Lopez claimed that Benitez’s infidelity has inflicted on her “severe mental and emotional distress.”

in her complaint, Lopez also claimed that the lawmaker is the father of children born from his romance with sexy star Andrea del Rosario and former Miss Philippines title-holder Daisy Reyes, who became vice mayor of Pateros.

Notwithstanding her accusations, Lopez was unable to convince the prosecutor that her accusations are supported with strong evidence.

The investigating prosecutor noted the lack of evidence to back the claim that Benitez fathered a child with Del Rosario.

On the other hand, the affair with Reyes could not be likewise supported in a court case because the romance allegedly took p[lace prior to the enactment of RA 9262.

On the accusation that that her estranged husband and Alawi are having an affair, Lopez merely submitted photos, news articles and an affidavit executed by her sister as evidence.

“To accept the same as gospel truth, without corroborating sworn statements to explain what is being depicted in these photographs, is a dangerous precedent,” Tumacder ruled.

Benitez, through his lawyer Peter Sanchez, was able to dodge accusations that he was guilty of economic abuse for failing to provide the PhP200,000 monthly allowance of Lopez.

He explained that he continues to provide for Lopez and their children and that he had financed the acquisition of their properties in Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village, and several other properties.

The investigating prosecutor said that Benitez’s accuser was unable to substantiate her claims of economic sabotage.