'Fashion Pulis' arrested on libel charge

MANILA - Michael Sy Lim, more popularly known as the "Fashion Pulis," has been arrested on Tuesday in connection with a libel charge filed by model Deniece Cornejo.

According to a report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Lim was arrested at 11:30 a.m. at his home in Makati City based on a warrant earlier issued by an Antipolo City Regional Trial Court.

A bail of P16,000 has been set for Lim, who took to social media site Twitter to air his reaction.

"Held in the CIDG office. Sad how people abuse libel to curtail press freedom. #FPisFearless," he wrote.




The cyber libel charge stemmed from an article posted on Lim's website claiming that Cornejo was sick with a sexually transmitted disease, according to the model's legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.

Cornejo earlier made headlines she accused "It's Showtime" host Vhong Navarro of sexually assaulting her on January 17 and 22. The two rape complaints have since been dismissed.

She was also detained for four months until September last year after being charged with serious illegal detention by Navarro. (READ: Deniece wants apology from Vhong) -- with a report from Raffy Santos, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Deniece Cornejo surrenders

 

'She was never in Samar,' says family lawyer

MANILA - Model Deniece Cornejo, one of five people charged with serious illegal detention in connection with the January 22 mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, surrendered on Monday afternoon to authorities.

Cornejo arrived at Camp Crame in Quezon City at around 4 p.m., PNP Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac said.

Cornejo was accompanied by her immediate family, including granduncle Rod, and the senior Cornejo's legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.

According to Sindac, Cornejo was brought to the office of PNP chief Alan Purisima to discuss her surrender.

"Siya ay nagprisinta ng sarili niya and she appeared before the chief PNP (Purisima) and had a short talk [with him]," Sindac told ANC. "It was a short conversation. [Purisima] has emphasized that she will be treated fairly and will be given the proper treatment."

Cornejo was then transported via a coaster to the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) building, where she was processed under the Women and Children Protection Desk.




Cornejo's co-accused, Cedric Lee and Simeon Raz, were arrested for the same non-bailable offense in Oras, Eastern Samar last April 25 after weeks in hiding.

Sindac said they have yet to verify whether Cornejo was hiding with Lee and Raz, following evidence that the two had a female companion in Samar. However, Topacio denied that Cornejo was ever in the area with her co-accused.

"I'm not at liberty to tell you where she was but I believe that there's no harm in saying that... she was never there," Topacio told ANC.

Cornejo will be brought to the Taguig Regional Trial Court on Tuesday, CIDG head Chief Supt. Benjamin Magalong told DZMM.

'Confident of innocence'

Topacio, who was tapped by Rod Cornejo to help Deniece "a few weeks ago," said his client had been wanting to surface as she was always confident of her innocence in the controversy involving Navarro.

"I think she really wanted to give up and face the accusations against her being very confident of her innocence," Topacio said. "Of course, she is young and being accused of these things, she was [making up her] mind about it, and because of the uncertainty as to what will happen."

Topacio added: "I think having received good counsel from her lawyers, and also from her relatives, she finally decided to turn herself in and face the charges."

The lawyer said Cornejo was also encouraged to surrender after learning of her granduncle Rod's plea for her to face the charges against her.

While Topacio did not disclose details of the surrender, ABS-CBN News learned that Cornejo's family contacted PNP Human Rights Affairs Office head Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Banas, with whom they are acquainted, to express Deniece's intention to surrender.

Aside from Cornejo, Lee, and Raz, arrest warrants for serious illegal detention were issued against Ferdinand Guerrero and Jed Fernandez -- who remain at large.





All five, plus Lee's sister Bernice and Jose Paolo Calma, were issued separate arrest warrants for grave coercion.

Bernice, Cornejo and Fernandez earlier posted P12,000 bail each for the criminal offense. Calma, meanwhile, left the Philippines last April 10 despite a lookout bulletin order mentioning his name.

Lee and his co-accused have claimed that they had to attack Navarro to supposedly rescue Cornejo, who alleged that she was raped by the actor when he visited her last January 22 at her condominium unit at Forbeswood Heights in Taguig.

Navarro denied raping Cornejo and alleged that he was blindfolded, tied up and mauled by Lee's group. The "It's Showtime" co-host claimed that Lee's group forced him to say on camera that he raped Cornejo, and that they used the video and a police blotter detailing the alleged rape to threaten him against reporting the incident.

The Department of Justice has since dismissed Cornejo's rape complaint against Navarro.

Meanwhile, Navarro's manager, film director Chito Rono said the timing of Cornejo's surrender of "suspicious," and advised the actor and his legal team "to be ver cautious for any drama." -- Reports from Edwin Sevidal, DZMM; ANC

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Accused in Vhong case backs out as state witness?

MANILA -- Jed Fernandez, one of the accused in the mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, has reportedly backed out from being a state witness.

In an exclusive interview on "Buzz ng Bayan" on Sunday, veteran journalist and Pilipino STAR Ngayon columnist Tony Calvento, who is helping the camp of Navarro in doing investigative and research work, said Fernandez initially expressed his interest to be a state witness through a friend.

Calvento said it was Fernandez's friend who personally met with him in a Japanese restaurant and revealed the supposed plan of Cedric Lee's group against Navarro.

"We went to a Japanese restaurant, I went alone at nagusap kami. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Bakit kita tutulungan? Ano'ng sasabihin mo?' Sabi niya kaibigan niya si Jed Fernandez," he said.

According to Fernandez's friend, Lee called a meeting at a poolside of a hotel on January 22, the day Navarro was mauled, to agree on what to do to the "It's Showtime" host.

"Nagtawag daw ito si Cederic Lee ng isang para bang general meeting ng mga taong involved nang gabing iyon. That was January 22, the same day that Vhong was mauled."

He said Lee and his group all agreed to "teach Vhong a lesson."

"Masyadong mainit si Cedric, to the point na ang dating daw ni Cedric e gusto niyang patayin si Vhong," Calvento said. "Then after ng usap-usap na iyong they agreed to teach Vhong a lesson. What lesson it was, wala akong idea."

Calvento said the man he was talking to in the Japanese restaurant even called Fernandez who was crying on the phone.

"Tinawagan niya si Jed, binigay niya sa akin ang telepono, kinausap niya 'ko," he said. "He was crying, 'tulungan mo naman ako, natatakot ako kay Cedric, baka ako'y patayin, tulungan mo 'ko, bigyan mo ko ng proteksiyon, pero sasabihin ko lahat ng totoo.'"

Calvento said Fernandez, as a sign of good will, even revealed the identity of the person seen holding a duct tape with Lee's group in a CCTV footage the night Navarro was mauled.

However, Calvento only disclosed the suspect's first name, Edgar, in the "Buzz ng Bayan" interview, saying "he knows who he is."

He said Fernandez's friend revealed later in their conversation that Edgar is their family's driver-bodyguard.

After that, Calvento said he told Fernandez and his friend to seek help from the Department of Justice (DOJ) if they really want protection.

The two vowed to appear before the DOJ on Holy Tuesday, but both decided to go to the Justice Department on the Monday after the Holy Week, carrying an affidavit.

Calvento said Fernandez and his friend gave three reasons why they wanted to turn against Lee.

"They wanted to be a state witness, to be discharged from the roster of the accused.. para daw matapos na rin ang mga ginagawa ni Cedric, at kasi takot na takot sila kay Cedric Lee, para mabigyan naman sila ng proteksyon at ang kanilang mga pamilya," Calvento said.

However, Calvento said that according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Fernandez, for some reason, decided to back out in fear for his life.

"I am only basing sa binanggit sa akin ni Secretary na he changed his mind, he's a cry baby and that he is very scared of Cedric Lee and what he can do to his family... Umatras siya," he said.

Despite this, Calvento said Navarro's camp remains confident because Fernandez and his friend already appeared before the DOJ and gave a lot of details.

"Humarap sila sa DOJ e, nagsalita sila at marami kaming nakuha." -- Buzz ng Bayan, April, 27, 2014

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why did Deniece meet Vhong twice?

MANILA - The lawyer of Deniece Cornejo appealed against "stereotyping" the now-controversial model when asked why she agreed to meet Vhong Navarro a second time after the actor-host supposedly raped her five days earlier on January 17.

Cornejo's legal counsel, Atty. Howard Calleja, sidestepped the question during his live interview on "Aquino and Abunda Tonight" on Tuesday.

Referring to the night when Navarro allegedly sexually assaulted Cornejo a second time, host Boy Abunda asked the lawyer: "Kung ito ay rape, bakit siya bumalik noong January 22?"

"'Yun pa ang sinasabi natin, 'no. We are stereotyping a character or we are imposing an action that we want the victim to perform," Calleja said. "Ang sinasabi namin, marami na akong rape victims na na-handle and the worse thing is to stereotype them."

"Let us not stereotype them. Let us understand them as a victim. And whatever they do, whether ang ginawa niya ay hindi tama -- 'yung reaction niya, hindi tama -- hindi ibig sabihin hindi siya na-rape," he said.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News' Maan Macapagal on Monday, Calleja said the details of the case, including Cornejo and Navarro's arrangement of a second meeting, should be left to court proceedings.

"Siguro... Sabi ko nga, 'yung mga detalye na 'yun... Iyon ay pag-uusapan nalang sa korte. Sabi ko nga, I'm just telling you the judisprudence but not the details, because we have to remember -- ito ay kaso ng panghahalay o rape. 'Yung mga detalye, huwag na po natin isiwalat dahil ito ay nasa realm na ng pag-iimbestiga o pag-try sa korte."

'We never denied'

Calleja on Tuesday said Cornejo's claim of rape on January 17, which is detailed in her counter-affidavit to Navarro's criminal charges, is not contradictory to the model's earlier statements regarding her acquaintance with the actor.

"Linawin po natin, wala naman pong contradictory, walang kaibahan, walang binago, walang dinagdag," the lawyer said. "We were just concentrating on the January 22 rape at that time."

In his complaint-affidavit in relation to the January 22 mauling incident filed last month, Navarro said he and Cornejo had oral sex on January 17 at her condominium unit at Forbeswood Heights in Taguig.

In an interview on ANC's "Headstart" on January 30, Calleja denied Navarro's claim, saying he had asked Cornejo about the alleged incident. "We talked about that, and Deniece said talagang walang nangyari noong time na 'yon," he said at the time.

However, Calleja on Tuesday said he never denied that his client had sexual relations with Navarro during their first meeting.

"Wala ho kaming dini-deny," he said on "Aquino and Abunda Tonight." "Ang sinasabi ko nga, malinaw po 'yon, even in the affidavit of Deniece. We were just silent about it. Hindi kami nag-deny. Wala kaming sinabing walang nangyari."

Why now?

Asked why Cornejo only detailed the alleged January 17 incident in her counter-affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Calleja pointed at Navarro's own admission of sexual relations with the model in his sworn statement.

Cornejo made no mention of sexual assault on the 17th in her initial affidavit in the rape complaint she filed against Navarro last January 29.

"Nung nakita namin 'yung affidavit ni Vhong, meron siyang sinabing sexual incident nung 17, at sinasabi niya consensual 'yon," Calleja said. "Malinaw na hindi naman consensual 'yon. So we also had to come out."

In a separate interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, the lawyer said some understanding is due Cornejo with regard to her belated accusation of another rape case against Navarro.

"We have to give leeway and understanding to the rape victim," Calleja said. "It is hard enough to relive one experience again and again and again. And it's harder to relive two or three or more than one experience."

Vhong's camp 'even more confident'

Navarro's legal counsel, Atty. Alma Mallonga, referred to Cornejo's new rape claim against her client as "fatal" to her case, saying it hurts her credibility.

"Hindi ko alam kung makakatulong ito sa kanila, but definitely, 'yung pagbabago ng kwento sa obvious na kadahilanang kailan nilang magresponde doon sa CCTV footage, malaking dagok 'yon sa kanilang credibility at 'yung ability nila now to move forward in trying to prove their claim," she said, referring to footage released by the National Bureau of Investigation showing those tagged in the January 22 mauling, including Cornejo.

"So sa aking palagay, hindi nakatulong 'yung pagbabago. In fact, I would think fatal ito doon sa kanyang complaint. Mas lalo kaming naging kumpyansa na walang mangyayari dito sa kanyang reklamo," Mallonga told ABS-CBN News in a separate interview on Monday.

Navarro has repeatedly denied raping Cornejo on January 22, saying he was a victim of extortion. He said he was blindfolded and tied up before being attacked by at least six men, including businessman Cedric Lee.

The actor filed six criminal charges against Lee, Cornejo and six others: serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense.

The DOJ has set the third hearing on Navarro and Cornejo's filed cases on February 28.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Another woman sues Vhong Navarro for rape

Another rape complaint was filed by a woman on Wednesday against Vhong Navarro amid the controversy involving the actor-host and model Deniece Cornejo, who has accused him of sexually assaulting her.

The rape charge was filed around 4 p.m. at the Pasig City Prosecutor's Office by the alleged victim and her legal counsel, Atty. Virgilio Batalla.

In a phone interview on "Aquino and Abunda Tonight" on Wednesday night, Batalla said the alleged rape took place in 2010.

"Ang biktima po ng rape ay may 20 taon para mag-file ng kaso. At ang kliyente ko ay 4 na taon lamang (pagkatapos noong nangyari), kaya hindi gaano katagal iyon," the lawyer said.

Asked by host Kris Aquino how he came to be the alleged victim's legal counsel, Batalla said, "Ako po ang chairman ng Lingap Pinoy Foundation na nagbibigay ng libreng abugado sa mga taong nangangailangan lalo na sa mga walang kakayahan."

"Lumapit po sa akin ang biktimang ito dahil siya ay nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob dahil sa mga nangyayari, iyong pangyayari na may nagsampa kay Vhong Navarro ng rape. Dahil nakita niya na puwede palang mangyari ito nang paulit-ulit sa ibang babae katulad niya," he said, referring to the case of Cornejo.




Cornejo filed a rape complaint against Navarro last January 29.

In her affidavit, she claimed that the actor forced her to perform oral sex on him and tried to insert his penis in her vagina on January 22, the night the group of businessman Cedric Lee allegedly came to her rescue.

Navarro denied this, saying he was set up by Cornejo for an extortion attempt allegedly led by Lee. The actor said he was blindfolded, tied up and attacked by at least six men inside Cornejo's condominium unit in Taguig.

The actor has since filed six criminal charges against Cornejo and Lee's group: serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense.

Lee, in a January 28 interview on radio DZMM, claimed that several other women aside from Cornejo were willing to come forward and say that Navarro also molested them.

Asked by host Boy Abunda if he knows of ties between his client and Lee, Batalla said, "Wala po akong alam."

Noting he cannot disclose his client's name without her consent, the lawyer added, "Ang kaso po ay nakasampa na at kami po ay naghihintay ng tamang proseso ng batas para magbigay ng detalye sa kasong ito."

Navarro's camp expected new case

Navarro's lawyer, however, downplayed the new rape complaint.

"Gusto lang namin sabihin na kahit naman sino ay puwede mag-kaso. Ang tanong ay kaya mo ba patunayan iyung paratang? May ebidensya ka ba?" Atty. Alma Mallonga said in a separate interview on "Aquino and Abunda Tonight."

She said the filing was "not unexpected."

Mallonga questioned the motive and timing of the new complaint.

"Some weeks ago, Cedric (was) saying that he's been talking to some women and I understand that his lawyer has said na mayroon silang pasabog," Mallonga revealed.

"Hindi kami nagulat kasi intindi pa nga namin that this is just the first of others," she added.

Mallonga also responded to speculation that the new case was inspired by Cornejo's allegations against the actor.

"If you're saying that you were inspired by the rape complaint of Deniece, alam na natin na hindi iyun nangyari. Impossible dahil nakita natin sa ating dalawang mata na hindi iyon nangyari, that you cannot rape who was not there. You cannot witness a rape when the victim is not even there," she said.

Mallonga said Navarro is aware of the new case and the actor is keen on facing the charges and proving his innocence.

"This has made him more determined to see this thing through," she said.

The Department of Justice's second hearing on the cases filed by Navarro and Cornejo is scheduled on February 21. -- with a report by Vince Garcia, ABS-CBNNews.com

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vhong still traumatized, to undergo brain checkup

MANILA - Movie director Chito Roño admitted that his ward, "It's Showtime" host Vhong Navarro, is still afraid to be alone after he was mauled last week at The Fort in Taguig City.

Navarro earlier filed charges of serious illegal detention, serious physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion and blackmail against businessman Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and a few others.

The actor-host accused Lee and his companions of beating him up inside the condominium unit of Cornejo at the Forbeswood Heights last January 22.

In an interview on radio DZMM on Friday, Roño said that while Navarro is physically recovering, he is still traumatized and wants to be with his friends all the time.

"Physically he is getting better. Siguro I would say may moments pa siyang nararamdaman niya yung trauma niya. Natatakot pa din siyang mag-isa. Gusto niya may kaibigan palagi siyang kasama, kausap," said Roño.

When asked who is always with Navarro in the hospital, the director said: "Marami. In fact mararamdaman mo 'yung family niya, mga kaibigan niya laging nandoon. Father niya, mga tiyahin niya. Nung una hindi namin pinapayagan kasi hindi naman nakakausap, pinapahinga namin kasi masyadong traumatic."

Roño said that they already allowed Navarro's family to visit him, except for the latter's children.

He said they want to be sure that the actor-host will fully recover from what happened.

"The other day nagawa na 'yung surgery niya [sa ilong] so nung unang araw hirap na hirap siya kasi he was unable to use his nose to breathe. Nahihirapan siyang huminga, magsalita. At the same time, he is in pain. Yesterday he's much better, may tendency lang na lumalabas sa kanyang operasyon so medyo pinaiingat lang siya," he said.

"Siyempre it's under observation, mayroon siyang bagong iniindang sakit sa gilid so the doctor went yesterday to look at it also. We've been advised 'yung sa head to check it thoroughly, mas magandang ngayon pa lang matignan na kung may namaga sa brain niya mismo," Roño added.

Rape case

Roño refused to comment when asked of Navarro's reaction that Cornejo already filed a rape case against him.

"Hindi siya masalita, alam naman niya, sinasabi din niya 'yung totoo so hindi ko mararamdaman kung ano ang nararadaman niya," he said.

Asked to comment on the issue that there are other women claiming that they were also "victims" of Navarro, Roño replied: " Hindi niya alam 'yon kasi di namin pinaparinig sa kanya ang lahat ng news at 'di namin pinapanood ng TV para 'di na siya ma-upset, [sabi namin] magpagaling ka muna.

"Alam naman natin 'yan, so wala kaming comment doon. When you say marami, you just said marami, so I don't know kung ano 'yon, we are not concerned kasi we want to focus on what happened to him, on what they did to him."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Deniece's family has yet to come out

MANILA - The legal counsel of Denice Cornejo has explained why no member of her family has come out in support of the now-controversial model.

Speaking on ANC's "Headstart" on Thursday, Atty. Howard Calleja said Cornejo has requested for the privacy of her parents amid her filing of rape charges against TV host and actor Vhong Navarro.

"The father, I was informed by Deniece, is an OFW working abroad. Some of the family members are here, some are also abroad, but she requested us to keep this private, to keep the privacy of the family.

"And that request, we accede to that. We also request the public to respect the privacy of the family... The support of the family is there, but it doesn't mean if they are not beside her on TV, they are not beside her in actuality," he said.

Cornejo formalized her rape complaint against Navarro on Wednesday, a day after the "It's Showtime" host filed criminal charges against her and seven other in relation to a January 22 mauling incident in Taguig.

In her complaint-affidavit, Cornejo claimed that the actor forced her to perform oral sex on him and tried to insert his penis in her vagina, but was "rescued" by businessman Cedric Lee and his group.

Navarro denied attempting to rape Cornejo and claimed that he was a victim of extortion. He said he was blindfolded and tied up before being attacked by at least six men including Lee.

The actor has since charged Lee, Cornejo and six others with serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention -- a non-bailable offense.

As the controversy unfolded early this week, people on social media brought up the absence of Cornejo's family members.

But according to Calleja, their lack of presence on television does not mean his client does not have the support of her parents.

"May mga tao na ayaw mo lang magpa-TV, 'diba? But it doesn't mean na in my office or any other place that we see them or meet them and that we see the support of the family... All I'm saying is that they would like their privacy to be maintained, and that, we respect," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Poll shows more netizens believe Vhong

MANILA - A larger number of social media users are siding with actor-host Vhong Navarro in light of the mauling incident that happened in Taguig last week, according to an online poll conducted yesterday.

On Tuesday, "TV Patrol" opened a poll on its official website (link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/tvpatrollive) asking netizens which party involved in the mauling incident do they believe more.



"Ilang araw matapos ang insidente, nagsalita na ang magkabilang panig sa kaso ng pambubugbog umano kay Vhong Navarro. Kanino ka mas naniniwala?" it asked.

Navarro earlier filed criminal complaints against the group of businessman Cedric Lee, who allegedly attacked him inside a condominium unit at the Bonifacio Global City last week.

Lee, sibling Bernice Lee, and model Deniece Cornejo are now facing charges of serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lee accused Navarro of "twisting the facts," saying the host's account of the incident is an exaggeration.

Cornejo, meanwhile, maintained that Navarro attempted to rape her and that she will file the appropriate charges against him.

The "TV Patrol" poll opened by 6:10 p.m. Tuesday and was closed the same the day at 7:35 p.m.

Out of a total of 6,239 replies, 97.37 percent answered "kay Vhong Navarro," while only 2.63 percent chose "kay Cedric/Deniece."

The case continues to be monitored by social media users, as more facts are being revealed to the public.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vhong Navarro files cases vs Lee, Cornejo, et al

MANILA -- Actor-host Vhong Navarro has filed cases against the group of businessman Cedric Lee, who allegedly attacked him inside a condominium unit in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig last week.

Navarro's legal counsel, Atty. Alma Mallonga, confirmed with DZMM on Tuesday that they formalized the complaints at around 5 p.m.

Lee, sibling Bernice Lee, and model Deniece Cornejo are now facing cases for serious physical injuries, illegal detention, grave threats, unlawful arrest and grave coercion and blackmail.

Mallonga confirmed several others are facing charges.

The lawyer said included in the cases are "the most important evidence, which is Vhong's statement, the medico-legal report, the statements of the security guards, and, of course, the CCTV footage is already there."

"Hindi pa siya kumpleto. But to me, the case, the evidence that will be used, is already there. I'm very happy. Vhong is relieved," she said.

According to Mallonga, the most "essential" evidence backing Navarro's charges is the CCTV footage, which purportedly shows those who were accused in the mauling incident last January 22.

"When you see the CCTV footage, if ever you get to see it at the proper time, you will be appalled by the brazenness of the named perpetrators of this crime, and even more by the psychotic ability to say with a straight face na ganito ang nangyari," the lawyer said.

Navarro has accused Lee, Cornejo and five others of attacking him inside a condominium unit in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, leaving him with serious injuries including a broken nose that required reconstructive surgery.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lee accused Navarro of "twisting the facts," saying the host's account of the incident is an exaggeration. Cornejo, meanwhile, maintained that Navarro attempted to rape her and will file the appropriate legal case against him.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Deniece tells Vhong: I am the victim

MANILA – Deniece Cornejo broke her silence in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, stressing that she – and not host-actor Vhong Navarro – is the victim in last week’s incident at her condominium unit at The Fort in Taguig.

Appearing with siblings Cedric and Bernice Lee, Cornejo said she is ready to file charges against Navarro for attempting to rape her.

“Isa lang po masasabi ko. If you want justice, I’ll give you the real justice. Mataas, napakataas ng paghanga ko sa mga lalaki na marunong rumespeto at ipagtanggol ang mga kababaihan. Kung meron mang inosente at biktima rito, wala nang iba kung hindi ako,” she told ABS-CBN News reporter Jay Ruiz.

Addressing Navarro, who was beaten up last Wednesday, Cornejo said: “Vhong, hindi ko kailangang umiyak, ipakita na awang awa ako [sa sarili ko]. Sa lahat ng mga naniniwala at sumusuporta sa tao, lalo na sa ’yo – at wala akong kalaban-laban dahil alam kong marami kang napasayang tao – magaling kang artista, idolo kita. Pero sa mata ng prinsipyo, ang mali ay mananatiling mali at hinding hindi mananalo ang kasamaan sa kabutihan.”

Cornejo said she initially wanted to keep the incident under wraps, saying she wanted to lead a private life.

However, she said she had no choice but to speak up because her reputation has been affected by Navarro’s statements.

“Uulitin ko. As much as possible, gusto kong maging pribado buhay ko at ayokong lumaki nang ganito. Hindi ko ito pinili, pinili niya ito. Pero kung ang pangalan ko ang nakasalalay dito at reputasyon ko, ibang usapan na ‘yun,” she stressed.

“I’ve consulted my lawyer. Pero for now, medyo nato-trauma ako sa mga ganyang ugali at saka pangyayari,” she added.




‘Vhong wasn’t courting me’

In the exclusive interview, Cornejo denied that Navarro has been courting her.

“Hindi naman po [nanliligaw]. Siguro na-impress siya, na gusto niya ako,” she said.

When asked if Navarro himself told her that he likes her, Cornejo said: “Hindi ko masabi… Kasi ano siya, komedyante.”

According to Cornejo, she was shocked by Navarro’s so-called sexual advances.

“Opo… Gustong gusto kong lumaban,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cornejo admitted that she is related to a top executive in another network.

“Lolo ko po ‘yung isa sa mga matataas na posisyon sa kabilang network,” she said, not mentioning a specific name.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cedric Lee has links to NBI?

MANILA - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be impartial in its probe into the mauling of ABS-CBN talent Vhong Navarro, assured Justice Secretary Leila De Lima in the wake of reports Cedric Lee, the leader of the group that beat up Navarro, is well-connected, even with the NBI.

In a text message to ABS-CBN News, De Lima said she will look into Lee's reported links to "past and present" NBI officials.

"As in any probe that we undertake, I will make sure that the NBI's probe will be impartial and credible. I will also look into Cedric Lee's alleged connections to certain NBI officials, past or present," De Lima said.

The NBI has initiated an investigation into the incident and has subpoenaed Lee and Deniece Cornejo at 2pm, today, Monday, to its main office in Taft Ave., Manila.

Cornejo is the friend who Navarro visited in her condominium unit on Wednesday night, where the incident took place.

Cornejo and Lee's camp claims Navarro attempted to rape her, which led to the mauling incident.

Navarro, however, denies this, and claims Lee and company merely wanted to extort P1 million from him.

Another mauling incident allegedly involving Lee was reported in 2007, with athlete and TV personality David Bunevacz as the alleged victim.

Lee denied Bunevacz's allegations against him in a sworn statement executed with the NBI, reported entertainment website PEP.PH.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com