Vhong Navarro grateful for justice amid guilty ruling for Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo

Vhong Navarro. Image: Facebook/It’s Showtime

Vhong Navarro, with his shaking voice and tearful eyes, expressed gratitude after the Taguig regional trial court convicted businessman Cedric Lee and model Deniece Cornejo in the serious illegal detention case filed by the TV host.

Navarro was visibly high-spirited while singing along to the “It’s Showtime” theme song on Thursday, May 2. He was also the one who greeted the studio audience: “What’s up, Madlang Pipol!”

After the lively performances and greetings, Navarro took the stage to share his message of gratitude.

“Maraming maraming salamat, Lord, dahil lagi kang nakagabay sa akin. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan ko sa buhay, nandyan ka. Ikaw ang naging sentro ko, at napakatotoo mo,” he began.

“Maraming salamat po sa RTC Taguig Branch 153… sa ibinigay niyo pong justice sa akin na matagal ko na pong pinagdadasal,” he continued, referring to the court which found Lee, Cornejo and their companions, Ferdinand Guerrero and Simeon Palma Raz, “guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of serious illegal detention for ransom.”

Navarro thanked his legal team as well as ABS-CBN executives for believing in him and for supporting him “since Day One.” He also expressed his appreciation to his fans for their continued belief in him despite the negative claims thrown at him.

“Sa staff ng ‘Showtime,’ sa ‘Showtime’ family, maraming salamat kasi hinahabaan niyo ang pasensya niyo,” he continued while looking at his fellow hosts.

“Minsan lutang ako. Rollercoaster ang pinagdaanan ko. Ang hirap i-explain pero minsan sabaw ako dito,” he admitted. “Pero nandyan kayo—kahit ‘yung mga bitaw at hirit ko ay sablay—to support me dahil alam kong mahal niyo ako.”

Navarro then credited his family for their constant faith in him, further breaking into tears as he addressed his wife Tanya.

“Marami akong pagkukulang sa’yo pero hindi mo ako iniwan. Marami akong kasalanan pero nandyan ka pa rin,” he said, as his voice shook from crying. “Hayaan mong bumawi ako sa’yo sa abot ng aking makakaya, hanggang sa huling sandali ng buhay ko. Mahal na mahal kita.”

Navarro was then comforted by his fellow hosts who surrounded him and gave him a group hug.

Navarro filed the case against Lee, Cornejo, Guerrero and Palma Raz in 2014, as the TV host was illegally detained after Cornejo had accused him of raping her.

Lee had filed a motion to dismiss the case, but the Taguig court denied his motion. The businessman took his case to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the lower court’s ruling.

Lee, Cornejo, Guerrero and Palma Raz were sentenced to 40 years imprisonment, and were also ordered to jointly and severally pay P300,000 in civil indemnity and moral and exemplary damages.

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