A case of adultery

A businessman finally filed yesterday adultery charges against his wife and former basketball player Paul Alvarez, whom he allegedly caught naked in bed embracing each other.

Jorge Alfredo Lopez III, 26, a resident of 28 Homonhon street, Barangay Magallanes, Makati City, accompanied by his friend Bernard Robles and lawyers from the Icaonapo Law Office, filed the charges at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office at around 3:15 p.m.

Among the evidence attached with the complaint was a copy of sworn statements, marriage contract, temporary medical certificate, and the official police blotter of the complaint.

Alvarez and Sarah Jane Devendorf-Lopez, 23, an American citizen, were slapped with adultery charges. Additional charges of grave threats and attempted homicide were filed against his wife.

The filing of the charges was delayed, he explained, because they had to verify the documents and evidence to be presented before the court once the trial begins. He was supposed to file the case last Friday, but was deferred.

Lopez told reporters he would file an affidavit of desistance on the charges against his wife in exchange for the custody of their children.

"I am willing to drop the charges I filed against Sarah if she gives me back my children. I acknowledge that she is still the mother of my kids," he said.

Although he was willing to go easy on his wife, Lopez is bent on pursuing the charges against Alvarez, 35, a resident of Pasig City.

"I won’t drop the charges against him kasi foul ang ginawa niya," he said.

Adding to the pain is the fact that he would not be with his daughter Allyssa, who would be turning four years old tomorrow. He, however, said that aside from the case he filed yesterday he is already making arrangements with his lawyer to file an annulment case.

"I will fight for the custody of my children, Allyssa and Brandon, 3, as soon as possible and prove that she is unfit as a mother," he said.

In a previous interview, Lopez said he would use as ground for annulment "the fact that Sarah brought a lover into their house with the kids present and driving recklessly with the kids on board a Ford Expedition (CPD-481)."

He has also sought the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Lopez added the recent events have also made him think twice about his plans to run for councilor in the fourth district of Manila.

This, after Sarah, in a television interview, said her husband was merely capitalizing on the controversy to get media mileage to boost his chances in winning in next year’s elections.

The complainant hails from the political Lopez clan. He is the nephew of former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez.

"I will no longer run for councilor and instead focus all my attention on getting my kids back. Hindi ko naman gagamitin ang personal life ko para manalo," he said, adding his family was disappointed when he informed them of his change in plans.

"Hindi maganda na iintindihin ko pa ang trabaho ko kaysa sa mga anak ko. Mas importante sa akin ang mga anak ko," he said.

He also branded as lies his wife’s claims that he was financially dependent on her. "Paano akong magiging dependent sa kanya eh ako nga ang may trabaho. We only rent the house in Magallanes, which is being paid for by my mother-in-law."

Apart from owning the Mustang Bar in Makati City, he also has a construction company. His wife and the kids are currently staying in the Magallanes house while Lopez is now living in one of their family’s 16 buildings in Sampaloc, Manila.

In television interviews, both the wife and Alvarez denied that they were caught lying in bed together. They stressed that it was their friend Bong Aragon who brought the former home using Alvarez’s Honda CRV (XKY-288).