The Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) found Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo, and two other respondents guilty beyond reasonable doubt in the serious illegal detention case filed by actor and host Vhong Navarro.

Atty. Alma Mallonga, Vhong’s legal counsel, revealed that the court had ordered Deniece be immediately committed to authorities. Cedric was absent during the promulgation, and the court has ordered for his arrest. The court sentenced Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Palma Raz to life imprisonment or up to 40 years in prison.

This ruling came after a legal battle that began in January 2014, when Vhong accused Cedric of detaining him on the night of January 22, 2014 in a condominium unit in Taguig City.

According to Vhong, Cedric, along with other companions (which included Bernice Lee, Simeon Raz, Jose Paolo Gregorio Calma, Jed Fernandez, and Ferdinand Guerrero) allegedly attacked and detained him. During that same night, Cedric Lee allegedly demanded ₱2 Million from Vhong for his release to which the latter agreed to pay ₱1 million.

Charged with Cedric Lee was model Deniece Cornejo, who had claimed that Vhong attempted to rape her that night. This rape allegation served as Cedric’s justification for attacking Vhong that night, and forcing him to allegedly admit to raping Deniece at a police station that night.

However, CCTV footage contradicted Deniece’s claims, casting doubt on her account and strengthening Vhong’s defense.

The legal battle was filled with unexpected changes and complications. This included the dismissal and subsequent revival of the rape charges against Vhong Navarro by the Court of Appeals. Despite this, Vhong persisted in asserting his innocence, ultimately leading to the dismissal of the rape and acts of lasciviousness charges by the Supreme Court due to Deniece’s inconsistencies.

In July 2022, the Court of Appeals reversed their decision and directed the City Prosecutor of Taguig City to file rape by sexual intercourse and acts of lasciviousness charges against the actor. In September of the same year, Vhong surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.

Later that year, the Taguig Court granted Vhong’s bail. In early 2023, the Supreme court dismissed the rape and acts of lasciviousness charges filed against Vhong.

Cedric Lee tried to move for the dismissal of the case twice.