Businessman Cedric Lee and Simeon Raz, Jr. were released Tuesday after posting bail of P500,000 each in connection with the serious illegal detention case filed by television host and actor Vhong Navarro last January 22.
They were granted their release orders by the Taguig Regional Trial Court.
Their co-accused, model Deniece Cornejo, however, remains detained at Camp Crame, as of posting.
Atty. Howard Calleja, the lawyer of both Raz and Lee, said in an interview shortly after the report that the two men are “extremely happy” about the resolution authored by Judge Paz Esperanza-Cortes.
He also said they will respect the move of Navarro’s camp, which has already filed both a motion for reconsideration and a motion for inhibition against the decision and the judge, respectively.
“We respect the move of the prosecution, including the secretary of the DOJ [Department of Justice]. Pero sabi ko nga, we also would file whatever documents we have in favor naman of our client,” he said.
The lawyer also criticized the opposing camp, explaining that they have been respectful of any of the court’s decision since the case started back in January.
“Nung binigyan ng warrant, sumunod kami. Nung inilipat dito sa Camp Bagong Diwa, sumunod kami. Kung ano man ang order ni judge na hindi pabor sa amin, hindi naman kami nagreklamo. Wala po kaming sinasabing may pinanigan siya or whatever pero sumunod kami sa lahat,” Calleja explained.
“Ito nga lang ‘yung decision na medyo maganda para sa amin eh. ‘Yung ibang desisyon, hindi naman kami nagreklamo,” he added.
Meanwhile, in an interview on DZMM on Tuesday, Navarro’s legal counsel Atty. Alma Mallonga said the actor is “saddened” by the news but will still proceed with the case.
“He is aware. He is saddened by the news. He is not completely demoralized. He is as strong and as fully committed to see this case through,” she said.
“Malayo pa ho ito. Wala pa pong acquittal and we have remedies and matibay ang aming kalooban na there is serious illegal detention. We disagree with the interpretation of the court,” Mallonga stressed.
She added, however, that they have “lost faith” in the judge handling the case, and have already filed a motion to inhibit Esperanza-Cortes.
The lawyer also expressed her frustration at the judge, believing that they had enough evidence led by the previously aired footage, which showed Navarro tied up and being led by those accused.
“To be frank about the matter, hindi talaga namin naiintindihan,” she said.
Ang mahirap na tanggapin talaga, ang pinapamukha, ang pinagsasabi… Nakikinig ako ‘yung sinabi ni Cedric na pangungutya na now “It’s Showtime…”
Anong mararamdaman mo? Parang pinapalabas na after all, ikaw ang nabugbog, ikaw ang nadetine, ikaw ang itinali, ikaw ang na-humiliate, kung ano-anong ginawa sa’yo, ‘yun pala ikaw ang may kasalanan? said Atty. Alma Mallonga, vhong’s lawyer.
However, Lee’s lawyer denied that there’s any coloring to that message for Vhong.
“Nandu’n naman ako nu’ng nangyari ‘yun. Kumbaga masaya lang ang tao nakakuha siya ng kanyang liberty at freedom at napagbigyan ang aming bail. There’s nothing fearful or threatening,” said Atty. Howard Calleja.
Below Videos from all said reports!