Cedric Lee, Zimmer Raz released on bail; Cornejo still detained

Cedric Lee (left,orange shirt) and Simeon “Zimmer” Raz (center, red shirt) are brought by agents to the NBI headquarters in Manila. Thery were arrested in Oras, Eastern Samar for grave coercion and serious illegal detention charges with the alleged mauling of Vhong Navarro last January 22, 2014.
(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA)

MANILA, Philippines—Businessman Cedric Lee and Simeon “Zimmer” Raz were granted temporary freedom Tuesday after posting bail amounting to P500,000 for their serious illegal detention charge over their alleged involvement in the mauling of actor-host Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro.

Atty. Howard Calleja, lawyer of Lee and Raz, confirmed that that the cash bonds for his clients were posted at the Pasig City regional trial court.

Cornejo does not have a release order yet and remains in custody at Camp Crame.

Model Denice Cornejo, however, remained in detention as her camp continues to secure the documents needed for her release. She remains in custody at Camp Crame.

The lawyer was accompanied by Bernice Lee, Cedric’s sister.

Lee and Raz were escorted to the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 271at 1:50 p.m. for the processing of their release order.

‘Fight not yet over’

Atty. Alma Mallonga, the lawyer of Navarro, filed a motion for reconsideration for the the court decision allowing the accused to post bail and a motion for inhibition against Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 271 judge Paz Esperanza M. Cortes.

Both motions will be heard on September 19.

Calleja, meanwhile, thanked the supporters who “did not only believe in Cedric, Deniece, and Zimmer but to the justice system.”

“Let me take this opportunity to thank the family, friends, and the ones who supported us, especially our clients, Cedric, Zimmer and Deniece, na naniwala hindi lamang sa kanila kung hindi sa proseso ng hustisya. Hindi pa po tapos ang laban nina Cedric, Deniece at Zimmer but eventually they will get the justice due them and the truth,” Calleja said.

(Let me take this opportunity to thank the family, friends, and the ones who supported and believed in us especially our clients, Cedric, Zimmer and Deniece and in the justice system. The fight is not yet over for Cedric. Deniece, and Zimmer but eventually they will get the justice due them and the truth.)

Calleja assured that they would continue to participate during the case proceedings.

Judge Cortes granted the bail plea of the three accused Monday saying that “although there is probable cause for the charging of the crime of serious illegal detention, the prosecution had failed to provide strong evidence that said illegal detention is actually serious or actually for the sake of kidnapping.”