Supreme Court dismisses Navarro's rape case

 

Vhong Navarro. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION© Provided by The Manila Times

TV host Ferdinand "Vhong" Navarro has been cleared of charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness due to a lack of probable cause, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court's Third Division. The court overturned a ruling by the Court of Appeals that had granted the appeal of model Deniece Cornejo, stating that the prosecutor had reasons to doubt the veracity of Cornejo's accusations due to inconsistencies in her allegations. The high court noted that these inconsistencies were not trivial and that the appellate court had substituted its own judgment for that of the prosecutor's finding. Cornejo filed three complaints against Navarro, but the court ruled that there was no basis for reversing the prosecutor's finding of lack of probable cause.

Cornejo's first complaint alleged that Navarro pinned her down and touched her private parts, but the rape was not consummated because her friends arrived at her condominium in Taguig City on January 22, 2014. She filed a second case against Navarro on February 22, 2014, more than a month after the alleged rape attempt. Her third complaint was based on her two previous complaints.

The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, who was joined by Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Japar B. Dimaampao, and Maria Filomena D. Singh.

The decision of the Supreme Court puts an end to the legal battle that Navarro has been fighting since 2014. He has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his family and fans. The case has generated significant media attention in the Philippines and has been the subject of intense public debate. The decision of the Supreme Court is expected to be widely discussed in the country.

Source:

Supreme Court junks rape case vs Vhong Navarro (msn.com)