Actor Archie Alemania has formally entered a not guilty plea to the acts of lasciviousness charge filed against him by singer-actress Rita Daniela.
The plea was submitted during a court hearing held on Tuesday, April 29, at the Bacoor City Municipal Trial Court in Cavite.
According to a report from ’24 Oras’, Alemania submitted his counter-affidavit as part of the ongoing preliminary investigation and denied all allegations made by Daniela. Neither he nor his legal counsel offered public comments following the arraignment. The court also granted a gag order requested by Alemania’s camp, barring all parties from discussing the case in public.
The case stems from a complaint Daniela filed in October 2024, accusing Alemania of inappropriate behavior during a car ride following a cast Thanksgiving party on September 9. Rita claimed that after the event, Alemania offered to drive her home—an offer she accepted, believing it was a brotherly gesture.
“I was confused [whether] he was just comforting me as an elder brother since I told him about what happened to my mother in our conversation inside his vehicle,” Daniela said in her affidavit. She alleged that during the ride, Alemania touched her shoulder and neck in a way that made her uncomfortable, and later made offensive comments.
Daniela, who was also present at Tuesday’s hearing, has maintained her position. “I feel bad. I mean, ako, I know my truth and I know God is with me and kahit anong mangyari, kahit gaano pa katagal, lalabas at lalabas ‘yung totoo,” she told reporters outside the courtroom.
Her legal counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, added that they are doing everything possible to avoid direct encounters between the two parties. “She’s not okay,” Garduque said, citing the toll the case has taken on Daniela’s mental health.
On April 2, 2025, Presiding Judge Mary Rocelyn P. Lim-Guillano issued an arrest warrant against Alemania after finding probable cause to bring the case to trial. The court set bail at ₱36,000 for the actor’s temporary liberty.
The Office of the City Prosecutor previously recommended Alemania’s indictment under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code, which addresses lewd acts done without consent.
As of this writing, no further public statements have been issued by Alemania’s legal team.
