Vhong

Vhong Navarro indicted for ‘rape’, but case’s raffle stayed

September 2, 2022 Hector Lawas 1394 views

THE Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted television host Vhong Navarro for allegedly sexually assaulting model Deniece Millinete Cornejo before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

However, the Taguig City RTC Executive Judge came up with an order dated September 1, 2022, holding in abeyance the case’s raffle after Navarro filed a motion for reconsideration and motion for the issuance of status quo ante order before the Court of Appeals (CA).

It can be recalled that the CA directed the Prosecutor’s Office to file the charges against Navarro, Ferdinand H. Navarro, in real life, after reversing the twin rulings of the Department of Justice (DOJ) last 2018 and 2020 dismissing the cases filed by Cornejo.

The CA ordered private complainant Cornejo to file a consolidated comment on Navarro’s motions.

In a decision promulgated on July 21, 2022, the CA 14th Division ordered the Prosecutor’s Office to file the celebrated case in court.

It ruled: “Cornejo decries attempted rape on the night of January 22, 2014 while Navarro denies any wrongdoing. We reiterate once more that the preliminary investigation is not the proper venue on the respondent’s guilt or innocence.”

The ruling was penned by CA Associate Justice Florencio Mamauag Jr., with Associate Justices Victoria Isabel Paredes and Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura concurring.

According to the CA, determining who is telling the truth should be left to the discretion of trial courts.

“Issues of credibility should be adjudged during the trial proper. It goes without saying that it is the trial court that has the unique power and position to observe the witnesses’ deportment, manner of testifying, emphasis, gesture, and inflection of the voice, all of which are potent aids in ascertaining the witnesses’ credibility,” the CA said.

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