Vhong's camp: No state witness needed

MANILA, Philippines — Television host Vhong Navarro's camp does not need a state witness to win the serious illegal detention case they filed against businessman Cedric Lee and his group, his lawyer said.

Lawyer Alma Mallonga said that she does not know whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) has a state witness to help in Navarro's case.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that one of Lee's companions in assaulting Navarro last January 22 expressed willingness to testify about Lee's purported "Oplan Bugbog."

"Frankly, wala kaming kinalaman do'n. I never bothered to find out. We never bothered to find out. We never asked Secretary De Lima and frankly, also, I do not think we really need a state witness," Mallonga said in an interview over ABS-CBN'S Bandila on Monday night.

She said the prosecution already has a complete slate of witnesses that would testify until the expected last day of hearing, which is scheduled on Feb. 24, 2015.

Mallonga was also reluctant in welcoming the possibility of commercial model Deniece Cornejo turning state witness. Cornejo accused Navarro of raping her and attempted to justify Lee's assault, but the case was dismissed by the DOJ.

"It's not up to us, it's up to the court. There are requirements in order for you to be a state witness, and you must not appear to be the most guilty. What do you think?" the lawyer said.

She said she is also not aware that one of Lee's companions, Jed Fernandez, had offered to testify against the businessman but withdrew afterward.

"Wala kaming communication with Secretary De Lima on this matter. So kung meryon 'yun ay yung narinig ko lamang. I can only speculate and I don't know why he backed out," Mallonga said.

Navarro himself already had his turn in the witness box before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 271.

Mallonga said she is "very happy" about Navarro's testimony.

"I presented him, he answered all the questions. It's very easy to testify when you know your story very well, when you're just telling your truth," she said.

Navarro was directly examined for four and a half hours and was cross examined for two hours.

"He was able to answer all the question when crossed ... And I'd like to think he was able to further fortify his story," Mallonga added.