VICTORIAS City Mayor Javi Benitez broke his silence following reports of a family dispute involving his parents, Albee Benitez and Nikki Lopez-Benitez, who recently filed a VAWC (Violence Against Women and their Children) case against the film producer-politician.
“Ayoko na sanang magsalita, pero alam kong hindi ko rin ito maiwasan,” Javi wrote in a Facebook post. “Ang mga totoong nakakaalam ng buong kwento… tahimik lang. Hindi sila nasa balita. Hindi rin sila nagpo-post.”
The VAWC complaint filed by Nikki identified several women who allegedly had relationships with her husband, including actresses Daisy Reyes, Andrea del Rosario, and Ivana Alawi. Nikki also accused Albee of emotional and psychological abuse, as well as fathering multiple children outside their marriage.
In his post, Javi expressed his hope that reconciliation might still be possible: “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 also reflected on love and values, writing, “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.”
The mayor extended his thanks to those who offered quiet support.
“Gusto ko rin pasalamatan ang lahat ng tahimik na nag-abot ng malasakit: sa message, tawag, o kahit simpleng dasal. Salamat.”
Calling for a stop to online speculation, he urged the public to focus on more important matters.
“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.”
