Vhong absent in mediation for grave coercion case

MANILA, Philippines - Actor Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro was absent in the first day of mediation for the complaint of grave coercion he filed against model Deniece Cornejo, businessman Cedric Lee and six others before the Taguig City Metropolitan Court Branch 74.

Also facing the same charge are Cedric’s sister Bernice Lee, Zimmer Raz, Jose Paulo “JP” Gregorio Calma, Ferdinand Guerrero and Jed Fernandez. Calma left the country last April 10.

Cornejo and Bernice earlier pleaded not guilty to the grave coercion charge while Fernandez was ordered arrested by the court for failing to show up for his arraignment. The court meanwhile entered not guilty pleas for the grave coercion charge for Cedric and Raz during their arraignment.

Speaking to reporters after the end of the 2 p.m. mediation, Navarro’s lead lawyer, Alma Mallonga said she had legal concerns on Navarro’s appearance during the mediation. The mediation, she said, was court mandated and is part of the legal process.

Mallonga said Navarro’s lawyers would still have to take into consideration the mediator’s request that the actor be present on the next mediation session scheduled at 2 p.m. on July 7.

Earlier, Mallonga said Navarro is bent on pursuing the grave coercion case against Cornejo, Cedric and the other accused. Mallonga said Navarro’s lawyers are still looking at the legal implications of the mediation of the grave coercion case on the serious illegal detention case filed by the actor against the same accused before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 271.

“Sabi namin, ikoconsider namin, pero sa umpisa pa lang, sinabi na namin sa mediator na mahirap siguro itong pag-uusapan, even dun sa legal aspect, mukhang mahihirapan, dahil nabuksan na yung ideya na ito sa ibang kaso at dahil dun sa kabigatan na nagawang krimen laban kay Mr. Navarro,” she said.

Mallonga however added that Navarro’s lawyers are keeping their options open regarding the mediation on the grave coercion case and a possible out-of-court settlement for the case.

“In any event ang sabi namin pinag-aralan namin ang legal scenario, at pagtapos namin makinig dun sa mediator, at ang suggestion nga ay let them have a chance. Sabi namin without prejudice eh papayag kaming ma-reset muna. We are keeping our options open. We are going to consider giving way to the request of the mediator. Let's give this one more try, on July 7. Tignan natin,” she said.

“Sinabi na namin na mahirap pag-usapan itong settlement. But we have a process to undergo. Tignan natin ang mangyayari. We are very confident that following the process. Hopefully, we will get justice,” she added.

Cornejo, Cedric and the other accused were slapped by Navarro with grave coercion charges in connection with his mauling on Jan. 22 inside Cornejo’s condominium unit at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Cornejo is still under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame after surrendering to PNP chief Alan Purisima. Bernice and Fernandez meanwhile had earlier posted bail at P12,000 each. Cedric and Raz are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.