Lawyer: Lee, Cornejo did not book flights

MANILA, Philippines - Model Deniece Cornejo and businessman Cedric Lee will face charges against them squarely and would not flee the country, their lawyer said Thursday.

"Wala naman silang planong umalis," lawyer Howard Calleja said in an interview in ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda on Thursday, denying previous reports that his clients booked flights to Singapore for February 6.

"Madali magpa-book kahit naman sino... Baka may ibang tao, naninira lang sa kanila, nag-book para sa kanila," he added.

Calleja, however, also vowed that the two main respondents in the case involving the January 22 mauling of actor Vhong Navarro will return and will not evade justice if ever they plan to leave.

"Kung totoo na sila ay aalis, bilang abogado ay ipapangako ko sa'yo ... na sila ay babalik," Calleja told the host.

The attorney also said that his reputation and professional licenses in the Philippines and in the United States are at stake.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday requested that a lookout bulletin order be issued by the Bureau of Immigration to prevent Lee and Cornejo from leaving the country.

NBI Director Virgilio Mendez had said that he has submitted the request to the office of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for approval.