Itinanggi ni Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez na may namamagitan sa kanila ng aktres at social media influencer na si Ivana Alawi.
Ito ay kaugnay ng kumalat na video kung saan namataan diumano silang magkasama sa airport sa Japan.
Read: Ivana Alawi spotted in an airport with Mayor Albee Benitez?
Ayon sa politician-businessman, "chance encounter" lamang ang pagkikita nila ni Ivana.
Nilinaw rin ni Mayor Benitez na ang pagpunta niya sa Japan ay para sa "business trip" gaya ng nakasaad sa kanyang official travel order.
Humingi rin ng paumanhin si Mayor Benitez kay Ivana at pamilya nito sa pagkakasangkot nila sa kanyang pribadong buhay.
Dagdag pa niya, "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."
Narito ang kabuuan ng pahayag ni Mayor Benitez na ibinahagi niya sa kanyang social medi account ngayong Linggo ng gabi, Pebrero 11, 2024:
"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."
Nauna nang nagbigay ng pahayag si Ivana tungkol sa pagkakaugnay niya kay Mayor Benitez.
Mariin niyang itinanggi na girlfriend siya ng alkalde.
Deklara ni Ivana: “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 siya ang politikong nakilala ko at naging kaibigan.”
Idiniin din ni Ivana na mayroon siyang karelasyon na isang businessman, at hindi politiko.
Read: Ivana Alawi issues statement: “Hindi po ako ang nasasabing girlfriend ni Mayor Albee Benitez.”
Narito ang kabuuan ng pahayag ni Ivana:
