Cedric Lee, ex-mayor ordered arrested over P34-M graft case

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against businessman Cedric Lee and a former Bataan town mayor over the questionable use of bank loans for a public market project.

In a resolution issued Friday, Sandiganbayan Third Division chair Amparo Cabotaje Tang said the court found probable cause to try Lee and ex-Mariveles Mayor Angelo Peliglorio Jr. for graft and malversation.

Peliglorio is accused of releasing P23.47 million and P14.05 million in bank loans to Lee's Izumo Contractors Inc. in 2005 without following audit guidelines and legal procedures.

The construction of the Mariveles public market was also never started despite the advanced payment.

In ordering the arrest, the anti-graft court also denied Lee's earlier motion to recall the warrant.

The case stemmed from a case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in June.

RELATED: Cedric Lee faces P37.5-M graft raps

In April 2014, Lee was arrested over the alleged illegal detention of actor Vhong Navarro, who emerged injured from a condominium unit in Taguig City.

Lee, commercial model Deniece Cornejo and other friends figured in a closed circuit television footage from the residential building the night Navarro was mauled.

Lee, Cornejo and co-accused Simeon "Zimmer" Raz were released on bail in September for the illegal detention charges.