BY JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL, Managing Editor
FINALLY, THE LONG WAIT IS OVER. After several hearings, the local court of Taguig finally allowed actor Vhong Navarro to post bail.
This after the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 39 found inconsistencies on the affidavits of the complainant Deniece Cornejo.
The actor’s bail is pegged at P1 million by Judge Loralie Cruz Datahan. The order to allow Vhong Navarro to post bail was dated December 5, 2022.
Judge Datahan claimed in the decision that “the credibility of the complainant is the single most important issue in the prosecution in the rape case.”
She revealed that in Cornejo’s affidavit, there were many inconsistencies which were too material to ignore.
“Indeed, the notable inconsistencies in the testimony of the private complainant could not be simply brushed aside, considering that these delve into the elements of the offense charged,” Judge Datahan pointed out.
It was also noted that while the complainant was drugged, she testified she wasn’t sure about her allegations.
The judge said Cornejo’s actions after the alleged rape, most importantly the text messages she sent Navarro and the “preening at herself and giggling,” are all inconsistent with her claim of trauma or someone who experience stressful and painful ordeal.
Earlier, the actor was transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Taguig after the court ordered him to transfer based on the petition from the Cornejo camp.
The actor’s transfer from the NBI detention to the BJMP Taguig was also based on the order issued by Judge Datahan.
The said transfer of Navarro was also made based on the motion of Cornejo’s camp that called for the immediate transfer of the actor, saying everyone should not have special treatment.
