MANILA, Philippines — Renowned singer-actress Rita Daniela has bravely taken legal action by filing Acts of Lasciviousness against her former co-star, actor Archie Alemania, from the popular GMA primetime drama, “Widow’s War.” Daniela officially lodged her complaint at the Office of the Prosecutor in Bacoor City, the very area she resides, on a significant Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in her career.
According to the allegations outlined in her complaint, Daniela asserts that the harassment first emerged during a thanksgiving party hosted by acclaimed actress Bea Alonzo in Quezon City, which took place in early September. She vividly recalled arriving at the bustling venue past midnight on September 9, where she immediately noticed Alemania, who appeared to be inebriated, making inappropriate comments that made her increasingly uncomfortable.
Despite the uncomfortable situation, the actress initially attempted to rationalize Alemania’s behavior, attributing it to his drunkenness, and relied on the presence of the party host and “Widow’s War” lead star Alonzo, who attempted to reprimand Alemania for his conduct. However, Daniela expressed that this troubling encounter was seemingly only the beginning of her distressing ordeal.
As the clock struck 2:30 a.m., and after the party atmosphere had started to dwindle, Daniela attempted to book a ride using a ride-hailing app. While waiting for her ride, she was approached by Alemania, whose SUV pulled up in front of her as he offered her a lift. Initially declining the offer, Daniela ultimately felt persuaded by Alemania’s insistence, believing that he had regained his composure and was acting like an elder brother in the situation. However, the ride turned out to be far from reassuring as they made their way to Cavite.
During the drive, Daniela experienced escalating discomfort as Alemania began to touch her neck and shoulders, gestures she instinctively sought to evade. Once they arrived at her residence, the situation took a harrowing turn when Alemania allegedly forcibly kissed her after she had refused his advances.
“This did not deter respondent (Archie Alemania). Instead, he grabbed my head, locked it in his grip, and gave me a torrid kiss on the lips with his tongue out, trying to put it inside my mouth,” Daniela revealed in her emotional affidavit, which was reported by PEP.
“Feeling sexually violated, I pushed the respondent with all my strength while shouting at him to stop. I struggled multiple times, but he continued brushing his lips against mine against my will,” part of Daniela’s affidavit expressed, bringing to light the traumatic experience she endured. The following afternoon, on September 10, Alemania reached out via text to apologize for his actions, attributing his misconduct to his alcohol consumption.
In light of the distressing incident, Daniela took proactive measures by reporting the incident to the management and formally requested that Alemania be removed from their ongoing show. As of now, Alemania has yet to release an official statement regarding the charges made against him.
**Interview with Rita Daniela: Taking a Stand Against Harassment**
**Editor:** Today, we have the extraordinary Rita Daniela with us. Rita, thank you for joining us. It’s not easy to talk about such personal matters, but can you share what motivated you to take legal action against Archie Alemania?
**Rita Daniela:** Thank you for having me. It was important for me to stand up not just for myself, but also for anyone who might experience the same thing. When I filed the complaint, I realized that keeping silent wouldn’t change anything. I wanted to set an example that harassment of any kind is unacceptable, no matter the circumstances.
**Editor:** Your experience during the thanksgiving party must have been quite unsettling. Can you elaborate on what happened and how that affected you?
**Rita Daniela:** Yes, it was a troubling experience. When I arrived at the party, I noticed Archie was behaving inappropriately. At first, I tried to justify his actions, thinking it was just the alcohol talking. I felt safe with Bea there, but as the night went on, the situation became unbearable. It was disheartening to realize that the person I once considered a colleague could act this way.
**Editor:** It’s brave of you to speak out. You mentioned that you originally tried to rationalize his behavior. What helped you change your mind about coming forward?
**Rita Daniela:** It was a gradual process. Initially, I thought it would blow over, but I reflected on the incident and realized that disrespect should never be normalized. I consulted with people I trust, and they encouraged me to take a stand. I realized that by speaking out, I could help others who might feel powerless in similar situations.
**Editor:** What do you hope will come from this legal action?
**Rita Daniela:** I hope this will raise awareness about the importance of consent and respect in all environments, especially in the entertainment industry. I want to inspire others to come forward and feel empowered to speak about their experiences. Ultimately, I believe we need to create a safer space for everyone.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your story, Rita. Your courage is commendable, and we hope that you find the resolution you seek.
**Rita Daniela:** Thank you. I appreciate the support and the opportunity to speak out.
