Cedric Lee. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Court of Appeals ordered the Department of Justice to answer businessman Cedric Lee’s petition seeking to stop the preliminary investigation on the complaint filed against him and several others by actor and television host Vhong Navarro.
The respondents to the petition—Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, National Bureau of Investigation Director Virgilio Mendez and DOJ panel members Assistant State Prosecutors Olivia Tordesillas, Hazel Decena-Valdez and Marie Elena Herrera—were given 10 days to comment.
The appeals court, in a resolution promulgated March 11, said the respondents should explain why a restraining order/writ of preliminary injunction should not be issued to stop the DOJ’s investigation into the alleged illegal detention and mauling of Navarro on Jan. 22.
Lee, his sister Bernize, together with Deniece Cornejo, Zimmer Raz, Jed Fernandez, JP Calma and Ferdinand Guerrero are facing complaints of serious illegal detention, serious physical injury, grave threats, grave coercion, illegal arrest and blackmail.
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