Outraged by court’s decision to release Vhong maulers, De Lima says bail grant very wrong

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was appalled by the decision of Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes of Taguig Regional Trial Court to grant bail to Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee and Zimmer Raz for the serious illegal detention case filed against them by Vhong Navarro.

This development came as a shocking surprise to De Lima because she believes the prosecutor presented a very strong and solid evidence against the three accused.

In an ambush interview, the Justice Secretary said, “We were shocked by the decision. What I know is that we have strong and solid evidence against them.”

According to her, the three-woman prosecution panel handled the case competently. They are competent government lawyers, the Justice Secretary said. The government prosecutors filed the case of serious illegal detention because they are convinced that there was a probable cause in the complaint.

The prosecutors, said De Lima, appealed the court’s ruling and immediately filed a motion for reconsideration. They also filed an urgent motion for Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes to inhibit herself from the case.

“The panel said they have lost faith and confidence in the ability of the judge to objectively resolve that matter. They believe that the bail grant was very wrong and that it was already predetermined or predisposed on the part of the judge,” the DOJ chief disclosed.

Meanwhile, Atty. Alma Mallonga, Vhong Navarro’s legal counsel, said her client was saddened by the court ruling, but is more determined and committed to see his serious illegal detention case through.

“Malayo pa ho ito. Wala pa pong acquittal and we have remedies and matibay ang aming kalooban na there is serious illegal detention,” Mallonga stressed adding they disagree with the interpretation of the court.

(This is far from over. There is no acquittal yet and we have remedies. We strongly believe that there is serious illegal detention)

Mallonga said they already filed a motion for reconsideration and a motion for the judge to inhibit herself from the case.

Taguig Regional Trial Court Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes set both motions for hearing on Friday.