“It’s Showtime” host and comedian Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro cried when he learned that a Taguig court approved his petition for bail.
Navarro, who is facing rape charges filed by model Deniece Cornejo, was released from the Taguig City Jail Male Dormitory at about 6 p.m. on Dec. 6 after the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 69 under Presiding Judge Loralie Cruz Datahan granted him bail in the amount of P1 million and ordered his release.
Lawyer Mariglen Abraham-Garduque, Navarro’s collaborating counsel, said the star cried when he learned he would be released from detention.
“Yes napaakap at na napaiyak sa tuwa. Lagi nya kasi naiisip na magpapasko na. Kaya masaya Talaga sya ng malaman nya na nagrant ang petition kasi he can spend Xmas with his family (Yes he hugged and cried because of joy. He always thought that Christmas was coming. That is why he was really happy when he learned that his petition was granted because he can spend Xmas with his family,” said Abraham-Garduque.
Navarro’s wife, Tanya Bautista, was with him when he was released from jail and was with lawyers when they were processing his bail, which was paid in cash.
For the first time since Sept. 19, Navarro slept in his own bed and spent time with his family at their home.
Navarro thanked the Taguig court for granting his petition, his legal team, family and friends, and all the fans who supported and prayed for him.
Some netizens commenting on Navarro’s release from jail said they hoped Navarro would return to “It’s Showtime.”
“Yes he will go back,” said Abraham-Garduque, adding that it would happen early next year.
In the decision, the Taguig court said it granted bail to Navarro after “the prosecution fell short in establishing that the guilt of the accused is strong.”
The court also noted that “the inconsistencies in complainant's affidavits and testimony are too material to ignore.”
It ruled that “viewed in light of all the foregoing, and taking the evidence presented in the bail hearings as a whole, this Court is not convinced at this point, that there exists a presumption great leading to the inference of the accused’s guilt.”
“It must be emphasized, however, that a grant of bail does not prevent the Court, as trier of facts, from making a final assessment of the evidence after full trial on the merits,” the court added.
The prosecution listed five witnesses to be presented in the five bail hearings set by the court but only three appeared. They were Cornejo, Cedric Lee and police officer Rolly Laureto. The last bail hearing was held on Nov. 10.
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Vhong Navarro thanks Taguig court for granting him bail in rape case filed by Cornejo