Vhong Navarro reacts to court’s decision to convict Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo
VHONG NAVARRO – The It’s Showtime host expressed deep gratitude following the Taguig Regional Trial Court’s guilty verdict against Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo, and two others on charges of serious illegal detention that he had filed against them.
On a Thursday episode of “It’s Showtime,” Navarro took the moment to appreciate all the support he received throughout the ordeal, particularly from the legal system and his legal team. Navarro’s lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga, announced that the court had ordered the immediate jailing of Cornejo and issued an arrest warrant for Lee, who was not present at the court reading. Navarro specifically thanked the judge and staff of RTC Taguig Branch 153 for delivering the justice he had long hoped for.
He also expressed gratitude to his network, ABS-CBN, the Streetboys, his “Showtime” colleagues, and his fans for their constant support. Navarro mentioned several network executives by name, acknowledging their continuous support from the start. He also thanked his friends and the “Wednesday Club” for always being there for him.
Emotionally, Navarro thanked his family and his wife, Tanya Bautista, for standing by him despite his flaws and mistakes, promising to make it up to her to the best of his ability for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, the legal issue dates back to January 22, 2014, when Navarro accused Lee and others of holding him in a condominium in Taguig City, where they beat him and allegedly threatened to kill him. Lee also supposedly demanded P2 million for Navarro’s freedom, of which Navarro agreed to pay P1 million.
Cornejo claimed that Navarro tried to molest her, a claim Lee used to justify the assault and to coerce a confession at a police station. However, security camera footage showed that the timing of these events as claimed by Cornejo was unlikely, supporting Navarro’s assertion that it was physically impossible for him to have committed the alleged crime. Others accused in the case include Bernice Lee, Simeon Raz, Jr., Jose Paolo Gregorio Calma, Jed Fernandez, and Ferdinand Guerrero. Lee had twice unsuccessfully sought to have the case dismissed.
