Why Dennis Manalo quit as Vhong's lawyer

MANILA - Lawyer Dennis Manalo confirmed Monday that he is no longer representing actor/comedian Vhong Navarro in connection with the cases the TV host-actor filed against Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee and six others. Speaking to ANC, Manalo said he quit as Navarro's counsel because he had already resigned from the Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako law firm, which is linked to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. "Partly because of my departure from the firm. There are lawyers in the firm who are continuously representing Mr. Navarro and since I am no longer connected with the firm, it is just proper that I step aside," he said. Navarro has filed six criminal charges against Lee, Cornejo and six others for beating him up inside Cornejo's condominium unit last January 22. The charges include serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention, which is a non-bailable offense. Cornejo, meanwhile, filed a rape case against Navarro. She said Navarro tried to rape her inside her condo unit before she was rescued by Lee's group. However, CCTV footage from the condo revealed that Cornejo had left the building even before Lee had gone up to her unit. ANC, February 17, 2014