As expected by Vhong Navarro's camp, another woman filed a rape case against the It's Showtime host. A certain Roxanne Cabanero y Acosta, believed to be disqualified Bb. Pilipinas 2011 candidate Roxanne Cabanero, formalized the complaint February 19 at the Pasig City Prosecutor's Office.
In a phone interview on Aquino and Abunda Tonight on Wednesday night, Roxanne's legal counsel Atty. Virgilio Batalla said the alleged rape took place in 2010. (Watch the interview here)
"Ang biktima po ng rape ay may 20 taon para mag-file ng kaso. At ang kliyente ko ay 4 na taon lamang (pagkatapos noong nangyari), kaya hindi gaano katagal iyon," the lawyer said.
Atty. Battalla is the chairman of Lingap Pinoy Foundation which gives free legal services to those who can't afford a lawyer. According to him, Roxanne had the guts to file the case today because she was inspired by Deniece Cornejo, and felt that the rape can happen again if tolerated.
Meanwhile, Vhong Navarro's lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga downplayed the new rape complaint and said that the allegations are irrelevant and not unexpected because some weeks ago, Cedric Lee already pointed out talking to some women who are also alleged victims of Navarro. (Watch the interview here)
"Gusto lang namin sabihin na kahit naman sino ay puwede mag-kaso. Ang tanong ay kaya mo ba patunayan iyung paratang? May ebidensya ka ba?" Atty. Mallonga said in a separate interview on Aquino and Abunda Tonight.
Atty. Mallonga also responded to what Roxanne's lawyer said that the new case was inspired by Deniece Cornejo's allegations against Vhong.
"If you're saying that you were inspired by the rape complaint of Deniece, alam na natin na hindi iyun nangyari. Impossible dahil nakita natin sa ating dalawang mata na hindi iyon nangyari, that you cannot rape who was not there. You cannot witness a rape when the victim is not even there," she said.
According to Atty. Mallonga, Vhong is aware of the new rape complaint and this made him more determined to fight for truth and justice.
