Vhong faces Cedric, Deniece in court

On Tuesday, May 6, actor Vhong Navarro faced businessman Cedric Lee, model Deniece Cornejo, and Zimmer Raz at the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 271. It was the first time that Navarro faced Lee, Cornejo, and Raz since he was allegedly mauled by their group back in January

Vhong’s charges

Navarro had charged Lee, Cornejo, Raz, Lee’s sister Bernice, Jed Fernandez, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Jose Paolo “JP” Calma with grave coercion. The bail for the set offense was set at P12,000 each.

For the serious illegal detention charge, Navarro had excluded Lee’s sister, Bernice, and Calma.

Lee and Raz, who were arrested in Samar last week, had petitioned for bail. They had likewise filed a motion for the continuance of their detention at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) compound. Lee and Raz had said they didn’t want to be transferred to a regular jail because they might be targeted by the inmates there.

Cornejo, who had surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, May 5, was in court for her arraignment. It is said that she would also be petitioning for bail soon enough.

Although the serious illegal detention is a non-bailable offense, the court may allow the posting of bail if it deems the evidence of guilt as “not strong.”

Ongoing agony

Navarro left the court as the hearing, which lasted around three hours, was winding down.

The court decided that, for now, Cornejo would remain in Camp Crame, where she will continue to be detained at the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Anti-Transnational Crime Unit. Meanwhile, Lee and Raz, will remain detained at the NBI headquarters in Manila.

The next hearing for the case is set for May 16.

ABS-CBN News correspondent Ginger Conejero said that while in court Navarro had been approached by a woman who had introduced herself as Cornejo’s grandmother, Florencia. In a TV Patrol footage, the woman could be heard shouting at Navarro, “Masakit ang loob ko! Wala kang puso!” (Click this link to watch the TV Patrol video.)

A manager’s suspicions, a lawyer’s faith

In a text message sent to the news program TV Patrol following Cornejo’s surrender, Navarro’s manager, director Chito Roño, wrote: “Her timing is suspicious. I would advice Vhong and team to be very cautious for any drama.”

Nonetheless, Navarro’s lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga believes Cornejo’s surrender is a positive development in their legal battle. “Yung pag-surrender ni Deniece ay importante siguro because iyon ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng proseso para lalong maging maganda ang takbo ng kaso. Unless you are arraigned, hindi tayo pwede mag-proceed to trial with respect to the particular accused,” she said.