Cedric Lee out on bail; Deniece Cornejo still detained

MANILA, Philippines – Cedric Lee and Zimmer Raz, two of the accused in the mauling of actor-comedian Vhong Navarro, are now temporarily free after posting bail of P500,000 each.

Model Deniece Cornejo, whose rape allegation against Navarro was the root of the case, remained in detention, however. Her lawyer said in an earlier report that they were still raising the P500,000 bail for Cornejo.

According to DZMM radio, Lee and Raz left the Taguig City jail before 6 pm Tuesday, September 16. Neither of them issued a statement, although Raz was heard saying “bless you.”

Lee and Raz went to the Taguig Regional Trial Court on Tuesday afternoon to secure  their release papers. Lee was spotted with sister Bernice and accompanied by lawyer Howard Calleja.

According to Calleja, Lee and Raz were very happy over the decision of Judge Paz Esperanza-Cortes to allow them to post bail.

As to the announcement made by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the prosecution panel would ask the judge to inhibit from the case, Calleja said they would respect it.  

“We respect the move of the prosecution, including the secretary of the DOJ (Department of Justice). Pero sabi ko nga (But as I said), we also would file whatever documents we have in favor of our client,” Calleja said.

Meanwhile, DZMM reported, Cornejo was still at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s detention center in Camp Crame, but had already packed her belongings, just awaiting for her possible release anytime.

A TV Patrol report quoted Cornejo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio that they would post bail on Wednesday, September 17.

While she showed herself to media, Cornejo requested that her photos not be taken. She didn’t issue a statement. Rod Cornejo, her grand uncle, however said that the family was happy that she would gain her temporary freedom.

On Monday, Judge Cortes has granted the motions of Cornejo, Lee, and Raz to be allowed to post bail for the serious illegal detention case filed against them by Navarro.

In a statement sent to Pep, Navarro’s lawyer Alma Mallonga said they were shocked over the decision, and would appeal it.

Cornejo has accused Navarro of raping her twice in January. Both complaints were dismissed  by the Department of Justice and the Taguig Prosecutor’s Office in April and July. – Rappler.com