Vhong Navarro. Image: screengrab from Facebook/It’s Showtime
Vhong Navarro expressed his utmost gratitude to everyone who supported him as he faced the rape charges filed against him by model Deniece Cornejo.
Navarro was earlier acquitted by the Supreme Court (SC) Third Division in the case for rape by sexual intercourse and acts of lasciviousness, noting that the inconsistencies in Cornejo’s allegations “are not trivial, minor, or inconsequential.”
The high court reversed the 2022 ruling of the Court of Appeals, saying it “gravely erred” when it granted the appeal filed by the model.
“Dasal ako nang dasal every day and night na hopefully makuha ko na ‘yung minimithi ko, na matapos na itong pinagdadaanan ko,” Navarro said during the episode of the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime” on Tuesday, March 14. “Kasi may mga panahon na akala ko nawalan ako ng pag-asa, nawalan ako ng hope nung nasa loob ako, pero hindi ako tumigil sa pagdadasal.”
(I had been praying every day and night that my wish would be granted, that my travails would end. There were times when I thought I already lost hope inside [the detention cell], but I did not stop praying.)
“Kaya ito na po, dininig na ng Supreme Court ‘yung dasal natin, at nagkakaroon na po ng maganda ang ginawa nilang pagresolba doon sa kaso ko,” he continued. (So this is it, the Supreme Court has heard our prayers and now, there is a good outcome after they resolved my case.)
The actor-TV host thanked the Supreme Court and credited everyone who lent a helping hand, including his family, friends, legal team, manager Chito Roño, Streetboys and his fans.
“Of course, [salamat] sa ABS-CBN, dahil hindi ako iniwan. Binigyan ako ng trabaho, welcome ako dito sa ‘Showtime,'” he saied. “Sir Carlo Katigbak, sir Mark Lopez and of course, tita Cory Vidanes, maraming-maraming salamat. I love you. Lagi kayong nandyan, lagi kayong nakaalalay sa akin.”
(Of course, thank you so much ABS-CBN for not leaving me, for giving me a job and for welcoming me in “It’s Showtime.” Thank you so much sir Carlo Katigbak, sir Mark Lopez and of course, tita Cory Vidanes. I love you. You have always been there, supporting me.)
“Ngayon po, dahil sa Supreme Court, naniniwala po ulit ako na may justice system sa Pilipinas,” Navarro declared. “God is really good.” (Now, because of the Supreme Court, I once again believe that there is a justice system in the Philippines.)
The Taguig City Court had ordered Navarro’s arrest in September last year. He was detained at the National Bureau of Investigation facility in Manila for two months, then transferred to the detention center of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Taguig.
Navarro then walked free from his detention cell in December after a court granted his motion to post bail, set at P1 million, for his temporary liberty. Navarro returned to “It’s Showtime” last Jan. 16. /ra