Over the weekend, a video went viral allegedly showing Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and Ivana Alawi together in Japan. Speculation arose regarding their supposed relationship, starting as a blind item and eventually being named in Ogie Diaz’s vlog. With Ivana’s popularity and her large following on her vlogs, many awaited updates on her, particularly in her love life, knowing that any news would quickly go viral and trend, thereby generating significant income for bloggers and vloggers.
This might be why she was linked to Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, a politician and billionaire businessman who is also a TV and movie producer. Before becoming mayor, Albee was a congressman, during which time Ivana was also linked to another congressman.
Ivana had previously stated that she was happy in her love life with a non-showbiz boyfriend until rumors linking her to Mayor Albee surfaced, which he denied a few weeks ago in a statement.
However, a video surfaced over the past weekend allegedly showing the two together in Japan, though the video lacked clarity and seemed to be a compilation of clips, leading some netizens to take notice.
In response, Mayor Albee quickly stated after watching the said video. He promptly apologized to Ivana and her family for their involvement in the issue.
According to Mayor Albee,
“I am fully aware of the video footage that has been circulating which unfortunately does not accurately explain why I was in Tokyo. I went there on a business trip as stated in my official travel order.
Speculations involving Ms Ivana Alawi are untrue and only serve to put malice into what was clearly a chance encounter.
I apologize to Ms Alawi and her family who have been unfairly dragged into issues concerning my private life. There is no truth to any and all the rumors spreading and I am setting the record straight to avoid further hurt and damage to them.
Maraming salamat po”.