Deniece Cornejo writes PNoy a letter

MANILA, Philippines — Detained commercial model Deniece Cornejo recounted her first birthday in prison in her letter to President Aquino.

"By way of this humble representation, I wish to present my side regarding the simple celebration of my 23rd birthday last June 1, 2014," Cornejo said in the handwritten message addressed to "Mr. President."

Cornejo insisted that she is "innocent" from charges of serious illegal detention against her stemming from the assault on television host Vhong Navarro last January. She is detained at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City. A photo of the letter was posted by Pilipino Star Ngayon columnist Tony Calvento on his Facebook page on Monday.

"I'm still an innocent person even as I have been charged of serious illegal detention, as guaranteed by our constitution," she wrote.

Cornejo addressed criticisms that she was accorded special treatment in jail for her birthday gathering, where 20 guests were present.

"I feel I'm entitled to marking these important youthful dates of my life with my family and friends and relatives who came all the way from America and provinces especially that I'm experiencing difficult times," Cornejo said.

"The objective and advocacy [of the celebration] had a good purpose and that is 'LIFE IS STILL BEAUTIFUL IN SPITE OF TRIALS'," she wrote.

She also denied that she was given a birthday party, as only a spiritual session by her Christian group was held.

"I didn't ask for any special treatment or privilege. All that I wanted was to hold a Sunday worship and thanksgiving since it's a Sunday and it's family day," Cornejo said.

"In a very solemn manner due to physical limitation in detention cell, I'm aware of my limitations and in fact I did not leave the premises of the [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group]," she added.

Businessman Cedric Lee's co-accused also claimed that she has "no control" over gifts, balloons and food given to her that day.

Cornejo was accused of serious illegal detention and grave coercion offenses by the National Bureau of Investigation. Her rape case against Navarro was earlier dismissed by the Department of Justice.