Taguig judge asked to inhibit from Vhong Navarro case

Vhong Navarro. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The prosecutors asked Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 271 Judge Paz Esperanza M. Cortes to inhibit from handling the case of comedian Vhong Navarro, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said.

Cortes on Monday allowed Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and Zimmer Raz to post P500,000 bail for their temporary liberty.

In her 72-page decision, the court said the prosecution failed to provide strong evidence that the illegal detention case is “actually serious.”

“We were shocked by the decision. We know that our evidence is strong and solid and our prosecution panel composed of three women performed well along with the private prosecutors,” De Lima said.

“The prosecutors have lost faith and confidence in the ability of the judge to handle the case objectively. Our prosecutors believed that the judge is pre-determined and pre-disposed to grant the bail,” the justice chief added.

De Lima said the prosecutors also filed a motion for reconsideration on the matter.

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