Cornejo, Cedric Lee's sister plead not guilty

MANILA, Philippines - Model Deniece Cornejo and businessman Cedric Lee's sister, Bernice, on Thursday morning pleaded not guilty to grave coercion charges filed against them by actor Vhong Navarro before the Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 74.

Navarro was also present during the arraignment of Bernice and Cornejo as ordered by the court, his lawyer Alma Mallonga said.

Mallonga said Bernice and Cornejo pleaded not guilty and that the court also ordered that the case be taken under mediation on June 2.

However, Mallonga said her client is bent on pursuing the case against Bernice and Cornejo.

The two girls declined to face the media or provide any statements after the arraignment.

Security was tight at the grounds of the Taguig Hall of Jucstice with steel barricades and yellow police lines at the building’s entrance. Reporters were barred from covering the arraignment.

Navarro slapped Cornejo and Bernice with grave coercion charges in connection with his mauling on January 22 inside the model's condominium unit at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

Facing the same charge are Cedric Lee, Zimmer Raz, Jose Paulo “JP” Gregorio Calma, Ferdinand Guerrero and Jed Fernandez. Calma left the country last April 10.

Cornejo is now under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Crame after surrendering to PNP chief Alan Purisima. Bernice and Fernandez have also earlier posted bail at P12,000 each.

Last Tuesday, the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 271 entered a not guilty plea for Cornejo for the serious illegal detention charge also filed by Navarro.