Judge suspends Cedric’s transfer

MANILA, Philippines - Minutes after issuing an order to transfer businessman Cedric Lee and Simeon “Zimmer” Raz to the Taguig City Jail at Camp Bagong Diwa, the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 271 suspended the order’s implementation.

According to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, the implementation of the commitment order is suspended until Judge Paz Esperanza rules on the motion earlier filed by Lee and Raz to post bail and for their continued detention at the National Bureau of Investigation.

Lee and Raz are facing before the court the case of serious illegal detention filed by actor Vhong Navarro last February, accusing the two men and Lee’s sister, Bernice; model Deniece Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero and Jed Fernandez of beating him up and trying to extort money from him.

Serious illegal detention is a non-bailable offense, but the court, however, may allow the posting of bail in cases where the evidence of guilt is not strong.

Lee and Raz filed the petition two days following their arrest in Eastern Samar on Saturday. The court is scheduled to hear their motion on May 6.

Lee and Raz are expected to be brought to the Taguig RTC Branch 271 at 1:30 p.m. for their arraignment.