DOJ: Vhong Navarro rape case file not missing

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday denied allegations that the case information involving the rape complaint filed by model Deniece Cornejo against actor and television host Vhong Navarro is missing.

DOJ Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento assured the public that the rape case file is intact.

“The case folder was transmitted to the Taguig City prosecutor’s office for review last Friday,” Malcontento said. “When it was located, it contained numerous pages. The paging must be indicated in the transmittal.”

Cornejo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio alleged that the case file was missing.

Last week, the camp of Cornejo asked the Taguig City prosecutor’s office to file charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness against Navarro based on a Court of Appeals ruling.

The appellate court had granted the petition for review filed by Cornejo and reversed the resolutions promulgated by the DOJ on April 30, 2018 and July 14, 2020, which dismissed the complaints lodged against Navarro.