Ivana Alawi. Image: Instagram/@ivanaalawi
Ivana Alawi made an intriguing move after she shared a quote about laughing at a “false accusation,” amid rumors linking her to Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez.
“A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation,” read the post of the “Batang Quiapo” actress on her Instagram Stories on Friday, Feb. 9.
While Ivana—who revealed last December that she has been seeing someone—did not include any statement on her post, she captioned it with three clown emoji.
Image: Instagram/@ivanaalawi
This came amid rumors that Ivana is supposedly romantically involved with Albee, who is also a producer and the owner of Brightlight Productions.
Such speculations were earlier discussed by comedian-showbiz insider Ogie Diaz through a vlog, saying there were sources claiming Alawi and Albee had gone on trips to Japan and Baguio.
“Mahirap naman [na] husgahan natin si Ivana. Kailangan si Ivana rin ang sumagot niyan; kung paano niya lilinawin ‘yan, kung siya nga ‘yung tinutukoy,” Diaz said.
(It’s hard to judge Ivana. She needs to address these rumors and clarify if the rumors are really about her.)
“Itong mga isyung ito ay dapat linawin din ni Ivana. Kasi kaya naman ni Ivana no—sa ganda ng kanyang income, sa ganda ng kanyang career. E bakit kailangan pang sumuot dito?” he added.
(Ivana should make clarifications on these issues. Because she is stable—her income and career is good. So, why would she get involved in these issues?)
Meanwhile, Albee had earlier disclosed that he and his wife, Nikki Benitez, “have not been a couple for several years.”
However, Nikki responded to this, saying she and Albee “have been living under one roof for 31 years” and that they have “maintained [their] family’s unity through all of life’s challenges.”
In a subsequent statement, Albee appears to have addressed the rumors linking him to Alawi as he requested for “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 politician said.