Another Taguig court has issued a warrant of arrest against TV host Ferdinand “Vhong” Vhong Navarro with no bail recommended for the alleged rape of model Deniece Cornejo.
In an order dated Sept. 19, the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 69 ordered authorities to arrest Navarro. The court also did not recommend a bail for the comedian.
“Not bailable for rape (under Article 266-A (1) of the RPC as amended by R.A. 8353,” the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Loralie Cruz Datahan read, according to a copy posted by ABS-CBN News.
Taguig police chief Col. Robert Baesa confirmed that they have received a copy of the warrant of arrest for rape against Navarro.
Last Aug. 31, the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office filed a case of rape against Navarro before the Taguig RTC.
Navarro is facing two cases in Taguig courts for rape and acts of lasciviousness, both related to the complaints filed by Cornejo.
This is the second warrant of arrest against Navarro.
Last Sept. 15, the Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 116 issued a warrant of arrest against him for acts of lasciviousness. Bail was set at P36,000.
Navarro went to the National Bureau of Investigation on Sept. 19 to surrender regarding the warrant.
In the rape case, the prosecutor’s office filed the information stating that on Jan. 17, 2014, Navarro “through force, threat and intimidation, and by purposely intoxicating the victim, did willfully, unlawfully and feloniously have carnal knowledge with one Deniece Millinete Cornejo.”
The acts of lasciviousness allegedly happened on Jan. 22, 2014.
In a decision promulgated last July 21, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Cornejo’s petition regarding the cases.
It ordered the Taguig prosecutor’s office to file the cases against Navarro.
The CA ordered the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office “to file the Informations against Ferdinand 'Vhong' H. Navarro for: (1) Rape by Sexual Intercourse under Article 266-A (1) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 8353; and (2) Acts of Lasciviousness under Article 336 of the Revised Penal Code.”
“Ultimately, it falls upon the trial court to determine who between Navarro and Cornejo speaks the truth,” the CA stated in the decision.
The CA said that “it was erroneous for the DOJ to deny Cornejo’s petition for review on the ground that her statements in the complaint-affidavits are inconsistent and incredible,” the CA ruled.
The CA said that “issues of credibility should be adjudged during the trial proper.”