Vhong meets with Cedric, Deniece for dispute resolution

MANILA, Philippines - Actor and television host Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro met with businessman Cedric Lee, model Deniece Cornejo and Zimmer Raz as a Taguig City court held yesterday the first of a series of judicial dispute resolution (JDR) sessions in connection with the grave coercion case filed by the actor.

 Navarro’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, told reporters that the JDR was presided by Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 73 Judge Marilou Tamang. The JDR was ordered by Taguig MTC Branch 74 Judge Bernard Bernal.

Speaking to reporters after the closed-door session, Mallonga said lawyers are not allowed to attend the JDR. Her client was accompanied by a relative.

Mallonga said that although Navarro appeared during the JDR, he does not want to settle the case he filed against Lee and several others in connection with the beating he received in Cornejo’s condominium unit in Taguig last Jan. 22.

The judge has set the next sessions on Aug. 28, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2 as she wants to talk to the other accused in the case, Mallonga said, adding that Navarro will only appear during the latter two sessions.

“Vhong has been consistent from the very beginning. He is not open to settlement but he respects the process and he respects the law,” she said.

The Taguig MTC Branch 74 earlier said Navarro must attend the mediation hearings to signify his refusal to enter into a settlement with the respondents.

 Cornejo, Lee and Raz are now all detained in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology dormitories at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.