At A Glance
- What ultimately sealed the court's judgment was Alemania's own text message — an apology sent to Daniela not long after the incident.
Actor-host Archie Alemania has been convicted of acts of lasciviousness in the case filed by actress-singer Rita Daniela.
In a 21-page ruling, the Municipal Trial Court in Bacoor sentenced Alemania to one month and one day up to one year and one day in prison. He was also ordered to pay Daniela 20,000 pesos in civil indemnity and 20,000 pesos in moral damages.
What ultimately sealed the court’s judgment was Alemania’s own text message — an apology sent to Daniela not long after the incident, which the court considered a voluntary admission of wrongdoing.
The complaint stemmed from a gathering on Sept. 9 last year, where Daniela said Alemania made lewd remarks toward her. After the event, he offered her a ride home, a gesture she thought harmless. But Daniela testified that once inside the car, Alemania touched her shoulder and neck, forcibly kissed her, hugged her from behind, and groped her breast before she pushed him away and escaped.
Alemania would later blame drunkenness in his apology, which the court refused to accept as an excuse.
The actor maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and pleaded not guilty during arraignment in April.
As of press time, he has yet to issue a statement on the verdict or confirm if he plans to appeal.
Daniela’s camp, meanwhile, says the ruling provides a measure of closure.
Her legal counsel expressed hope that the actress can now heal and move forward.