In an interview with GMA News’ “24 Oras” Thursday, Lee’s lawyer Connie Aquino clarified that the decision of Taguig City Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 74 junking Lee and Raz petition to extend their stay at the NBI only applies to the grave coercion case. The decision was issued on May 6.
“The previous order of the judge is for the grave coercion case, but as we have already posted bail in that court, we’re no longer required to be transferred in the Taguig City Jail pending the decision of the judge in the serious illegal detention case,” Aquino said.
Lee and Raz, who are also suspects in the serious illegal detention case filed by Navarro in connection with the January 22 mauling incident, also filed a petition to extend their stay at the NBI before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 271.
The court has yet to issue a ruling on the petition.
Lee and Raz were supposed to be transferred on Thursday at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention facility in Taguig City had they not posted bail of P120, 000 each past 12 p.m.
Lee and Raz failed to attend the arraignment of the grave coercion case earlier in the day.
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Cornejo, however, is also a suspect in the serious illegal detention case, which is a non-bailable offense. She was brought back to her detention cell in Camp Crame after the arraignment.
During the arraignment, Taguig MTC Branch 74 also ordered that the case be taken under an off-court mediation on June 2 to be facilitated by a third party of lawyers.
But as early as now, Navarro’s lawyer Alma Mallongsa said her client is determined to pursue the case against the respondents.
