Ivana Alawi says seeing businessman, not politician

Ivana Alawi on Facebook 

Actress Ivana Alawi on Saturday denied rumors romantically linking her to Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, revealing that she is instead in a relationship with a “respectable businessman.”

“This will be the first and last time na magsasalita ako tungkol dito. HINDI PO AKO ANG NASASABING girlfriend ni Mayor Albee Benitez. I met him when I had work in Bacolod. He was very accommodating and friendly. At hindi lang sya ang politikong nakilala ko at naging kaibigan,” Alawi wrote on her Facebook account.

“I am currently seeing someone who makes me happy. All I can say is that he is a respectable businessman and not a politician. Sana this helps clear my name and clarify all rumors,” she added.

According to Alawi, she broke her silence to clear her name as her family is also being affected by the false allegations.

“I tried to stay quiet at dumedma na lang dahil sa paniniwala ko na hindi ako dapat magsalita lalo kapag alam ko na wala akong ginagawang masama. But because of the false accusations and hurtful words that are being thrown to my Mom and Mona, kinailangan ko nang linawin ang mga bagay,” she explained in the post.

Alawi’s statement comes after the rumors linking her romantically with Benitez, fueled by netizens who alleged sightings of them together during trips to Baguio and Japan.

Benitez also denied being in a romantic relationship with the actress.

“As for recent personal matters, I kindly request understanding and respect for privacy to shield all innocent parties involved. In my private capacity as a film and TV program producer, my professional interaction with various celebrities is inherent to the nature of the business,” the Bacolod City mayor said in a statement in Facebook.

“At this moment, my primary focus is on safeguarding the interests of Bacolod City,” he added.