Deniece released, seeks CHR help on rape raps

MANILA, Philippines - Model Deniece Cornejo was released on bail yesterday and proceeded to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to seek help on the dismissal of two rape charges she filed against television host Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro.

CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales said Cornejo together with her family and lawyer, Salvador Panelo, engaged in a closed-door meeting with CHR Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag. The latter is in charge of attending to women’s rights and issues brought to the attention of the commission’s Women’s Human Rights Center.

“What reached me is that they plan to file complaint for human rights violations against TV personality Vhong Navarro. They are discussing the matter right now,” Rosales said.

However, Rosales also said that if Cornejo’s camp really wanted to file a complaint with the CHR, they should recognize the right to privacy. “The matter should be seriously discussed in private and that media attention should have not been sought,” she said.

Earlier, Panelo sent CHR a letter asking the commission to investigate or look into the “alleged” manipulation of rape cases filed in Quezon City and Pasig courts.

He claimed the dismissal of the rape cases were due to “pressure given to the investigating prosecutors by a top ABS-CBN (television) talk show host and actress.”

“Apparently, the favor being done by the celebrated TV host is to accommodate a close friend, who is reportedly Navarro’s manager,” part of the letter read.

Panelo added they also received information that the rape cases filed by Navarro’s other victims “are also on the verge of being dismissed.”

He referred to the undue pressure and influence as a form of obstruction of justice, which should not be tolerated by the CHR.

Marc Titus Cebreros of the CHR’s Media and Information Division said the commission will validate the contents of the letter before taking any action.

Cornejo is facing assault and serious illegal detention charges in connection with the attack on Navarro in her condominium unit in January.

The model, who walked out of the women’s detention facility of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon after around four months of incarceration, said she wants to make up for lost time.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who also represents Cornejo, said she will spend time with her family and a Christian group she joined.

“She would be making rounds with the churches to say thank you to the brethren who supported her,” he said, adding that his client intends to share how her experience made her closer to God. – With Mike Frialde, Jaime Laude