MANILA, Philippines — In a bombshell revelation that has rocked both the entertainment and political scenes, actress and social media star Ivana Alawi has admitted to a romantic relationship with Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez — a married public official. Even more shocking, reports claim that Mayor Benitez’s legal wife is now preparing to file criminal charges against Ivana, citing violations of the Philippine Revised Penal Code.

The unfolding drama has sparked outrage, disbelief, and an avalanche of reactions from netizens, fans, and political observers alike.

💔 The Shocking Confession

In an emotionally charged interview that aired online earlier this week, Ivana Alawi finally broke her silence about the months-long speculation surrounding her and Mayor Albee.

“It was never my intention to hurt anyone,” Ivana said, visibly shaken. “But yes, it’s true — Mayor and I had a relationship. It started as professional, but things grew deeper between us.”

Ivana insisted that she was not aware of the full complexity of Mayor Benitez’s personal situation when the relationship began. “I believed he was emotionally available,” she added.

👩‍⚖️ Legal Consequences: Adultery and Concubinage?

The confession did not sit well with the mayor’s wife, who, according to a report from a national broadsheet, has already consulted legal counsel and is preparing to file charges against Ivana under Article 333 (Adultery) and possibly Article 334 (Concubinage) of the Philippine Revised Penal Code.

“She [Ivana] doesn’t get to walk away with just an apology,” said a close source from the wife’s legal team. “There are consequences for what she did — not just to a family, but to a public image.”

If found guilty of adultery, Ivana could face imprisonment ranging from two to six years, depending on the outcome of the investigation and court proceedings.

😱 Public Shock and Netizen Reactions

Within minutes of the interview, social media platforms exploded. Hashtags like #IvanaAlawi, #MayorScandal, and #JusticeForTheWife began trending on Twitter and Facebook.

Netizens were deeply divided:

“Ivana? With a married politician? She should’ve known better.”

“I admired her for years, but this is really disappointing.”

“We don’t know the full story. Let’s not judge too fast.”

Some fans remained sympathetic, pointing out that power dynamics and emotional manipulation could have played a role. Others, however, were unforgiving, accusing Ivana of “destroying a family” and “using fame to get what she wants.”

🤐 Mayor Albee Benitez: Silent Amid the Scandal

As of press time, Mayor Albee Benitez has yet to release an official statement, despite the growing pressure from both the public and the media. Sources say he is currently in “crisis mode” with his family and legal team, avoiding all public engagements and interviews.

Inside reports suggest that close allies of the mayor are urging him to issue a public apology and clarification before things escalate further — especially since 2025 is a politically charged year, with local officials already preparing for early campaigning.

💥 Impact on Ivana’s Career

Ivana Alawi, known for her glamorous lifestyle and relatable vlogs, is one of the most followed Filipina personalities on social media. But this scandal may affect her endorsements, collaborations, and image.

According to entertainment insiders, at least two brands are now reconsidering their partnerships with Ivana amid the controversy.

“No brand wants to be associated with scandal,” one marketing manager shared. “This may be the toughest moment of her career.”

⚖️ The Bigger Picture: Power, Influence, and Accountability

This developing case has also sparked larger conversations about morality in public service, celebrity accountability, and how the rich and powerful maneuver around the law.

Many netizens have asked:

“If the roles were reversed — if this were a regular woman and a lesser-known official — would the justice system move as swiftly?”

The mayor’s wife, who has remained largely out of the spotlight until now, is said to be determined to see justice done not just for herself, but for “every woman who’s ever been betrayed.”

🧨 Final Thoughts

Ivana Alawi’s public admission has turned what was once a rumor into a full-blown national scandal. The story now includes betrayal, legal threats, political tension, and a deep fracture in public trust — not just in celebrities, but in elected leaders as well.

With legal action looming, a silent mayor, and a nation watching closely, one thing is certain: this story is far from over.

Will Ivana face jail time? Will Mayor Albee finally speak? And can a public apology undo the damage already done?

Ivana Alawi accused of having an affair with Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez
Actress and content creator Ivana Alawi is now being accused of having an affair with Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez in a Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) complaint filed by Dominique “Nikki” Lopez-Benitez, Benitez’s estranged wife, in Makati.

According to documents circulating on social media, Benitez and Ivana are said to be in an affair, and the mayor is said to have two more children out of wedlock.

Benitez, through his lawyer Atty. Peter Sanchez, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and considered defamation of the mayor after he filed for annulment in 2024.

Although Alawi was not directly mentioned as a third party, Atty. Sanchez said it was “unnecessarily dragging” just to divert public attention.

Atty. Sanchez opposed the publicizing of the complaint, which he said was a violation of Section 44 of the VAWC law, which stipulates the confidentiality of such cases.

Despite the issue, Benitez’s camp said that she would cooperate with the legal process, and that they were confident that the accusations would be refuted through evidence such as documents and testimonies.

Alawi and Benitez were first linked in February 2024 after they were reportedly spotted together in Baguio and Japan. Benitez clarified at the time that her relationship with Alawi was only “professional,” and that she and her husband had not been together for a long time.

It was learned that Benitez is not only a well-known politician but also a businessman, with businesses in television, movies, and a former e-sabong.

Meanwhile, Ivana denied the accusations in a post on social media, saying that “I AM NOT THE ALLEGED GIRLFRIEND OF Mayor Albee Benitez.”

She added that she only met Benitez because of a project he did in Bacolod.

‘I met him when I had work in Bacolod. He was very accommodating and friendly. And he wasn’t the only politician I met and became friends with,’ Ivana revealed in her post.