MANILA, Philippines — Actor-host Vhong Navarro’s legal team is studying its options after the Court of Appeals ordered the immediate release of Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee and their two co-accused in the 2014 case involving Navarro.
Atty. Alma Malonga said Navarro will continue pursuing legal remedies available to him but declined to discuss the specific actions his camp may take next.
“We had already issued a statement. Let’s wait for what happens next. In truth, we are still carefully studying legal options,” Malonga told Inquirer Entertainment through a text message on Sept. 28.
In a statement aired on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Malonga said Navarro has continued to trust the justice system despite what she described as its shortcomings and weaknesses.
She said Navarro believes the truth will prevail and that his long legal battle over what he considers a criminal wrong against him will eventually reach a just conclusion.
Malonga said Navarro will continue taking appropriate legal steps and will accept the outcome once the legal process ends.
She did not say whether the reported release of Cornejo, Lee, Ferdinand Guerrero and Simeon Palma Raz raised security concerns for Navarro.
The Court of Appeals issued its decision on Sept. 25 and ordered the immediate release of the four after modifying their convictions in the case filed by Navarro.
Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 convicted the four of serious illegal detention for ransom in May 2024 and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua.
The case stemmed from a January 2014 incident at Cornejo’s condominium in Bonifacio Global City. Navarro said Lee and the others attacked, restrained and threatened him.
Cornejo had accused Navarro of attempted rape. The Supreme Court dismissed the rape and acts of lasciviousness complaints against Navarro in 2023 after finding no probable cause and citing inconsistencies in Cornejo’s accounts.
Despite the appellate court’s release order, the Bureau of Corrections said Cornejo and Lee could not immediately leave prison because the agency still needed to verify the court documents and sentence computations.
