Vhong speaks after Deniece rape case dismissal

The actor-comedian says that it isn't in him to hurt women and that he is grateful for all the support he received during his ordeal

Rappler.com

Published 9:10 PM, April 10, 2014

Updated 9:10 PM, April 10, 2014

VHONG. The actor took the opportunity to thank fans, family, and colleagues for sticking by him during his ordeal following his mauling in January. Screengrab from YouTube (ABS-CBN)

MANILA, Philippines – Actor-comedian Vhong Navarro could not hold back his tears after the Department of Justice junked the rape case filed against him by model Deniece Cornejo following the mauling incident January.

(READ: Lee, Cornejo charged in court over Vhong mauling)

On Thursday’s (April 10) episode of It’s Showtime, Vhong thanked the people who continued to support him through his ordeal.

"Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa ating Panginoon. Ang dami ko pong gustong pasalamatan especially sa madlang people, maraming maraming salamat sa mga naniniwala, sa mga nagdasal, sa lahat po ng nagpalakas ng aking loob sa aking mga kaibigan likod at sa harap ng camera,” Vhong said.

(I want to thank God. There are so many I want to thank. The people, those who believed, prayed and gave me strength, my friends infront and behind the camera).

He also thanked his manager, director Chito Roño, columnist Tony Calvento, Alma Mallonga and his lawyers, and ABS-CBN for the love and support he has been receiving. He also expressed his gratitude to his family and friends who never left him.

He acknowledged that while he may have wronged his girlfriend, Vhong said that he will do his best to set a good example for his children.

“Siguro po naging...hindi mabuti masyadong ama… Siguro nagkasala ako sa girlfriend ko. Opo inaamin ko po lahat iyan. Pero pinapangako ko po naging mabuti po akong anak …gusto ko po ipakita sa mga anak ko ‘yon, kung paano kong nagawa ‘yun, kung paano ko nalagpasan iyon. Dahil ayoko po mabahiran ng krimen ang aking pagkatao,” he told the audience.

(“I may not have been the best dad… I wronged my girlfriend, I admit that. But I promise that I was a good son, and I want to show my kids that, how I got through that. Because I don’t want crime to taint my character.”)

He also said that it was not in his character to harm women.

Last January, model Deniece Cornejo filed a rape case against the actor for an alleged sexual assault on January 22, the night of a controversial incident which left Navarro severely injured.

In February, another complainant, Roxanne Acosta Cabañero, also claimed that she was raped by the actor in April 2010 in Pasig City.

A third complaint was recently filed by another woman, who said that Vhong raped her as taping was ongoing for a teleserye in 2009. – Rappler.com