Vhong Navarro on Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo’s verdict: ‘Salamat Lord’ 

Vhong Navarro shared his reaction after Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo and two others involved in his 2014 case were found guilty. 

On Thursday’s episode of "It’s Showtime," Navarro thanked everyone who supported him through out the nearly-long decade case. 

“Salamat Lord dahil lagi kang nakagabay sa akin. Sa rami kong pinagdaanan sa buhay, ikaw ang nagging sentro ko at napakatotoo mo. Kaya maraming-maraming salamat,” Vhong began. 

He also expressed his utmost gratitude to the ABS-CBN executives and his fans who supported and believed in him. 

“Sa mga naniniwala sa akin, sa aking mga fans. Kung ano man yung narining niyong hindi maganda sa akin, eh patuloy kayong nandiyan sumusuporta at naniniwala,” the TV host and actor said. 

Finally, Vhong thanked his It’s Showtime family for being “patient” with him. 

“Roller coaster ang pinagdaanan ko. Ang hirap i-explain. Minsan sabaw ako, pero andyan kayo to support me dahil alam kong mahal na mahal niyo ako,” Vhong said. 

Before ending his speech, Vhong made a huge shout out to his sons Ice and Bruno, and most especially to his wife Tanya Bautista, saying that he will make it up to her for his past mistakes. 

“Marami akong pagkukulang sayo pero di mo ako iniwan. Marami akong kasalanan pero andiyan ka pa rin. Hayaan mo akong bumawi sayo sa abot ng aking makakaya hanggang sa huling sandali ng buhay ko. Mahal na mahal kita,” he ended. 

On Thursday, a Taguig court found Lee, Cornejo and two others guilty of illegally detaining the TV host and actor in 2014.

In a 94-page decision, the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch 153 found Lee, Deniece Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Raz guilty beyond reasonable doubt of serious illegal detention for ransom under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.

The court sentenced them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years imprisonment.

In 2014, Lee and his group were accused of holding Navarro captive and inflicting serious physical injuries against him.

In March 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness against Navarro due to lack of probable cause.

— Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News