Lure the actor into a trap. With your barkada, maul him to a pulp, black and blue, short of killing him. Detain him in your model-girlfriend’s condo and scare him enough to agree to paying ransom of at least one million, in exchange for freedom and a clean slate from court charges of rape.
The above just about summarized what happened ten years ago in a condominium in BGC, that enclave of the rich and famous, according to court records.
Last week, a court in Taguig City model Deniece Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee and two others guilty of serious illegal detention for ransom of actor-host Vhong Navarro.
Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 Judge Mariam Biem sentenced Cornejo, Lee, Ferdinand Guerrero and Simeon Palma Raz to life in prison after convicting them for the assault and extortion of Navarro in 2014.
It took all of 94 pages to reach the decision.
The convicts were also ordered to jointly pay Navarro P300,000 in civil indemnity, moral damages and exemplary damages. The bail bonds posted by the accused were canceled.
In January 2014, the National Bureau of Investigation filed criminal charges against Cornejo and others in connection with the detention and attack on Navarro.
In her ruling, Biem said that the accused’s plan to restrain Navarro and extort money from him was “all too apparent.” The judge noted that Deniece’s bank account was seen in Lee’s text message to Navarro, “which (was) used where to send the extorted money.”
She noted that it was “very unusual” for all the accused to gather in one place a few hours before the detention and assault of Navarro took place.
Biem said Cornejo’s allegation of rape against Navarro was part of the scheme.
“Cornejo lured… Navarro to her condo unit so that her co-accused attained their purpose of restraining Navarro and later on extort money from (Navarro) before dropping the blotter,” the judge said.
In 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the rape and acts of lasciviousness charges filed by Cornejo against Navarro.
Who is Cedric Lee?
Deniece, Cedric, 2 others guilty
Cedric Lee’s claim to being a showbiz celebrity of sorts is his being a boyfriend to several actresses and models.
As a businessman, he had a previous conviction in the Sandiganbayan.
The anti-graft court convicted businessman Lee and former mayor Angel Peliglorio Jr. of Mariveles, Bataan, of malversation of public funds.
Their case involved the alleged anomalous release of P23.47 million worth of public funds in 2005 for what turned out to be a “ghost” project.
Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez penned the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s ruling sentencing Lee and Peliglorio to 12 to 18 years in prison, and imposing a fine equivalent to the fund involved or P23,470,500. Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Ronald Moreno agreed.
The court, however, acquitted the two on a separate charge of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as the prosecution failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In 2015, Mariveles Mayor Peliglorio was accused of giving Lee P23.47 million as advance payment for the construction of the Mariveles Public Market, a project that did not materialize as even the groundbreaking ceremony was not made.
Last week, Cedric Lee went to the NBI headquarters to surrender, said NBI director Medardo De Lemos confirmed. Lee and Raz were turned over to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, while Cornejo was already at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Guerrero is still at large.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Guerrero is also in the bureau’s ILBO, which directs immigration personnel to note and report to the DOJ if a subject leaves the country.
“The BI is committed to implement said orders if subjects are encountered in any ports of entry or exit,” Sandoval said in a text message.
In an episode aired on Thursday, “It’s Showtime” host Vhong Navarro expressed his gratitude for the court’s decision.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank you. Thank you to Taguig RTC for giving me the justice I have long been praying for,” Navarro said.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #CedricLee #VhongNavarro #BureauofInvestigation