Cedric Lee denies Vina Morales’ allegations about detaining daughter

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Cedric Lee denied his ex-girlfriend Vina Morales’ allegations that he forcibly detained their daughter Ceana for 9 days. This, after Vina filed a complaint that also stated he broke visitation rights. (READ: Vina Morales says ex Cedric Lee detained their daughter)

In a statement to Pep, Cedric said that his and Vina’s custody case has been going on for 3 years, with a signed agreement dating 2013 regarding visitation, holidays, and summer holidays.

Vina herself, he said, violated some of their rules about visiting times, and the court has noted that she owed him 10 days with Ceana.

He added: “During the 8 days I was with Ceana, my lawyers were constantly in touch with her lawyer and family. They knew when I was going to take my daughter home.”

Cedric also denied what Vina said about Ceana being traumatized by the time spent with him and his family. Photos on Pep show the father-daughter duo spending time together in public – outdoors, at a mall, and at a kids’ play area.

On the 8th day he was with her, Cedric said, Ceana was asked to go to court.

“My daughter is not aware of the court case we have,” Cedric told Pep. “This may have traumatized her as she did not know what was going on. I have never bullied Vina and have gone through the right avenue. I believe my child has a right to have both her father and mother in her life.”

Cedric also said that he stayed quiet when he couldn’t see Ceana for a year, and that the publicity of their current situation “has gotten out of hand.” He expressed hope that he and Vina can iron things out soon.

In a statement to the press from his lawyer, J Ricardo Moreño, Cedric intends to answer Vina’s allegations against him in court so as not to violate the sub judice rule and to protect Ceana’s well-being.

‘Bullying’

On Wednesday, June 8, Vina insisted that Cedric has been bullying her and her family since 2013.

The actress spoke to ABS-CBN after a court hearing, where she sought to temporarily suspend Cedric’s visitation rights.

“Alam mo iyong tao na ayaw mang-away, iyong hindi mahilig mang-away. Matapang ako pero ayaw ko ng away. Pero alam mo iyong taong binu-bully ka araw-araw, matututo kang lumaban eh,” Vina said.

(You know some people don’t want to fight, they aren’t fond of fighting. I’m brave but I don’t want to fight. But you know, when you’re bullied everyday, you will learn how to fight back.)

When asked what she hopes to achieve with her complaint, Vina said, “I am praying na sana madinig na ng korte iyong complaint ko (I am praying that the court hears my complaint). I’m praying for the best,” she said.

She then recounted an instance where Cedric’s driver or bodyguard went to Ceana’s school and punched her nanny. Vina said that the incident should have been caught on camera, but the school’s CCTV was broken at the time.

Vina also said that Cedric’s bodyguard accused Vina’s household help of stealing P50,000 from his car. Vina’s worker was put in prison, but Cedric said he would let it go if he was granted visitation rights with Ceana.

According to Vina, Ceana herself is afraid of her father and doesn’t want to be with him: “I asked her, ‘Do you want to see your dad?’ Sabi niya (she said), ‘No, mom, I don’t like.'”

Vina’s complaint

Cedric’s statement was a reaction to Vina’s complaint filed on June 3. A hearing was held on Thursday, June 8.

Vina accused Cedric of keeping their daughter Ceana forcibly detained for 9 days and of violating court-approved visitation rights, which state that he can only visit Ceana on Saturdays.

In a previous statement, Vina said that she was through with being silent when it comes to fighting for her child, saying, “May hangganan din ang pambu-bully niya sa akin at sa pamilya ko.” (There are limits to his bullying me and my family.)

Cedric, a businessman, and Vina broke up in 2009.

In 2014, Cedric, Deniece Cornejo, and 5 others were charged with serious illegal detention and grave coercion, but they posted bail in September. This, because of Vhong Navarro’s allegations that Lee’s company beat him up after Deniece accused him of rape.

In July 2015, the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 affirmed bail for Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and Simeon “Zimmer” Raz. – Rappler.com