A former beauty candidate of Binibing Pilipinas filed a rape complaint against Vhong Navarro on Wednesday amid the controversy involving the actor-host and model Deniece Cornejo, who has accused him of sexually assaulting her.
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| Roxanne Cabañero Acosta |
Roxanne Cabañero Acosta of Davao, 24, was accompanied by her lawyer Virgilio Batalla at the Pasig Prosecutor's Office and filed the complaint at around 4 pm that day.
In an interview with DZMM's Kabayan with Noli de Castro, Atty. Batalla said:
"Sa ngayon po alam naman natin na 2010 (naganap yung rape) sa hurisdiksyon ng Pasig. Ngunit uulitin ko, Kabayan, sana ay maintindihan niyo bilang abogado we don't have the liberty to divulge everything without the consent of our client,"
"Ang kasong rape ay may 20 years na prescription at kadalasang kasong nire-resolba ng ating Korte Superma ay ipinayl ng biktima na matagal na panahon. So this is natural for a victim of rape na matagalan bago mag-file."
"Naitanong namin yan ng preliminaries namin at ang sagot niya ay ngayon lang kami nagkaroon ng lakas na loob dahil may lumabas na kaso si Deniece laban kay Vhong,"
He alleged that Acosta's decision to file the rape complaint came five days after the Navarro-Cornejo controversy erupted. She is still in Manila, he assured.
When asked about the issue circulating online that his client is a friend of businessman Cedric Lee, who mauled the actor-host in Taguig after Cornejo allegedly asked for help, Batalla said:
"Wala po tayong impormasyon na ibinigay sa atin ng aking kliyente nung siya ay dumulog sa aming opisina upang humingi ng tulong."
Batalla added Acosta joined several beauty pageants including Ms. Resorts World 2010 and Miss Bikini Philippines.
In another story from ShowbizNest, it said Acosta also competed in the Bb Pilipinas beauty contest in 2011 but was later disqualified due to some nude photos of her which circulated in the internet.
Meanwhile, Navarro's lawyer Atty. Alma Mallonga questioned the timing of the new rape complaint but said the actor is willing to face the charge and prove his innocence. She added the filing of the case is "not unexpected."
Navarro and Cornejo is scheduled to face each other on February 21 at the second preliminary hearing of the Department of Justice (DOJ).--Source: DZMM/Showbiz Nest/Photo from Missosology