Violence against women complaint vs Bacolod lawmaker junked

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Makati Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed a complaint for violence against women and children filed against Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez for lack of evidence.

The complaint was filed by Benitez’s estranged wife, Dominique Lopez, who alleged that the lawmaker violated the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.

In a resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Mikhail Maverick Tumacder said Lopez failed to present proof that a reasonable certainty of conviction may be achieved if the case is filed in court.

The resolution was approved by acting City Prosecutor Melvin Matti.

“The prosecutor found no basis to charge me with economic abuse or psychological violence,” Benitez said, noting that the allegations against him were unsupported and did not meet the legal standards for criminal prosecution.

Lopez filed the complaint in April, accusing Benitez of inflicting “severe mental and emotional distress” through multiple extramarital affairs.

“I remained silent out of respect for my family and confidence in the legal system. This resolution confirms what I have maintained from the beginning, that the accusations were baseless and malicious,” Benitez said.

Last year, Benitez filed for annulment of his and Lopez’s marriage in a court in Bacolod.