A criminal complaint filed against Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez by his estranged wife, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez, alleging marital infidelity, has been dismissed by the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office due to insufficient evidence.
In a 20-page resolution, the court ruled that Lopez failed to substantiate her accusations that Benitez repeatedly committed marital infidelity, which she claimed violated Republic Act 9262, or the Violence Against Women and their Children Act.
“On a final note, while this Office commiserates with whatever complainant has gone through, this Office has to take into consideration the lack of evidence to support her case for violation of RA 9262,” read the resolution signed by Assistant City Prosecutor Mikhail Maverick Tumacder.
“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,” it added.
To recall, Lopez had sued Benitez in April, accusing him of psychological and economic abuse, as well as infidelity, including a “current illicit relationship” with actress and social media star Ivana Alawi. Alawi has denied the allegations.