Vhong will never settle with Deniece, Cedric – lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Vhong Navarro will not allow an out of court settlement in the grave coercion case he filed against model Deniece Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee and six others before the Taguig City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 74, his lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said yesterday. 

The civil aspect of the case is now undergoing mediation as ordered by the Taguig City MTC 74. 

“That is not going to happen. Vhong is determined to pursue the case to the end,” Mallonga said. 

“But the rules require, with respect to less grave felonies, like grave coercion, that the civil aspect of the case undergo mediation,” she added.

Navarro did not appear in the first mediation proceeding on Monday. The next mediation proceeding is set on July 7. Navarro’s presence was requested in the next mediation.

However, Mallonga maintains that Navarro can participate in the mediation proceeding through his lawyers or representatives and need not appear personally.

 Also facing the same grave coercion charge are Cedric’s sister Bernice Lee, Zimmer Raz, Jose Paulo “JP” Gregorio Calma, Ferdinand Guerrero and Jed Fernandez. Calma left the country last April 10.

Cornejo and Bernice earlier pleaded not guilty to the grave coercion charge while Fernandez was ordered arrested by the court for failing to show up for his arraignment. The court entered not guilty pleas for the grave coercion charge for Lee and Raz during their arraignment.

Cornejo, Lee and the other accused were slapped by Navarro with grave coercion charges in connection with the attack on him in Cornejo’s condominium unit at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Jan. 22.

Cornejo is under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame after surrendering to PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima. Bernice and Fernandez posted bail at P12,000 each while  Lee and Raz are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.