MANILA, Philippines — Actor and TV host Vhong Navarro refused to enter a plea deal during his arraignment last October 11.
Navarro’s case dates back to 2014 when he was accused by model Deniece Cornejo of sexual asssault. Now he is on trial before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 69 for rape.
Alma Mallonga, Navarro’s legal counsel, disclosed that they have a petition to review the case before the Supreme Court. This petition is the reason as to why Navarro did not enter the plea deal. “Under the rules, therefore, the court entered a plea of not guilty. That is what happened,” Mallonga said.
Last month, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) released a warrant of arrest for acts of lasciviousness. Navarro surrendered and posted the P36,000 bail. After, the NBI served an arrest warrant for rape. Navarro has been under their custody since.
Navarro did not show up for the arraignment but attended via video conferencing. Cornejo also did not attend the arraignment after the court refused to let her attend through video conferencing.