The table has turned in favor of Vhong Navarro in his decade-long court battle versus Cedric Lee and Deniece Cornejo..
What began as a perplexing and contentious controversy is finally seeing closure, marked by the recent arrest order for Cedric, Deniece, and their cohorts on May 2, 2024.
Vhong, relieved, has expressed his gratitude to the RTC Taguig Branch 153.
On the other hand, curiosity mounts about Cedric Lee's background.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
In his now-deleted LinkedIn profile, Cedric Cua Lee had listed his alma mater as De La Salle University.
He graduated from the school of green archers, earning a bachelor's degree in business management.
CAREER
Cedric immediately took on an entrpreneurial role, which led to his ultimate rank as chairman and president of Izumo Contractors Inc., a company listed among the construction firms behind major government infrastructures.
Back in 2014, he was also a managing director and shareholder of Colossal Mining Corporation—one of the biggest sand and iron concessionaires in the country—although it is unclear if he still holds such position to this day.
CONTROVERSIES
Mauling incident with Vhong Navarro
January 24, 2014, news erupted about Vhong getting tied, blindfolded, and beaten by six unknown men in a condominium unit in BGC.
The incident involved model Deniece Cornejo, who allegedly lured the comedian-actor the unit where the assault unfolded.
Soon identified as the perpetrator, Cedric aired his side in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph three days later, on January 27.
Cedric first denied the "extortion" allegation of Vhong's camp, expressing, "I don’t need to resort to that kind of raket para kumita ng pera."
He then claimed it was Vhong who begged Deniece not to file attempted rape complaint.
According to Cedric, "Nung ikukulong na siya [Vhong] sa kulungan, nakiusap siya kay Deniece, huwag siyang kasuhan.
"Baka masira daw yung showbiz career niya at saka yung mga anak, hindi raw niya alam… hindi niya maipaliwanag sa anak niya.
"Kaya kinausap niya si Deniece, pinatawad siya. Sinermunan na lang siya dun na huwag na niyang gagawin sa iba riyan, huwag na niyang uulitin, huwag na niyang gawin sa iba."
Cedric asserted: "Ngayon, siya pa ang lumabas, binaligtad pa kami…"
Fast forward to May 2, 2024, Cedric, Deniece, and their accomplices Zimmer Raz and Ferdinand Guerrero, were found guilty "beyond reasonable doubt" in the serious illegal detention for ransom case filed by the It's Showtime host.
Judge Mariam Bien read the verdict at the Taguig Regional Trial Court, issuing the order to arrest the accused for the penalty of reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. Their bail bond was also cancelled by the court.
The court's decision also stated that each accused must pay Vhong PHP100,000 for civil indemnity, PHP100,000 for moral damages, and PHP100,000 for exemplary damages.
Cedric, Deniece, and their cohorts, however, have the option to appeal the court's decision.
Read: Vhong Navarro reacts to conviction of Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo
Beverly Hills 6750
Cedric's name was dragged in a similar case in 2007.
Back then, David Bunevacz, the former president and chief executive officer of the controversial high-end beauty clinic Beverly Hills 6750 in Ayala, Makati, was Cedric's business partner.
Beverly Hills 6750 had been thriving for over a year since its establishment in 2006.
But, it was only in late 2007, when the board members of the beauty clinic learned about the alleged misuse of the company's funds by David and his family to sustain their lavish lifestyle.
David was, after all, the sole signatory for all financial disbursements or company checks.
Despite his colleagues and the public being aware of David's family's affluent lifestyle, the board of Beverly Hills 6750 was compelled to audit him after he gifted his wife Jessica Rodriguez with a BMW X5.
The car, given by David to his wife on the GMA-7 game show Celebrity Duets, was valued at PHP5.6 million.
The doctor partners filed estafa cases against David.
The latter also filed kidnapping and physical injury complaints against Cedric and four other investors of the clinic, namely, Juanito R. Ho, Louie Kaw, Dominic Sytin, and Tyrone Ong, before fleeing to the U.S. with his family.
Tax evasion case
On September 29, 2015, GMA News Online published an article about the Court of Tax Appeals' (CTA) order to arrest Cedric and his estranged wife, Judy Gutierrez, over a PHP194.47-million tax evasion case.
Based on the complaint, Cedric and Judy failed to pay the correct amount of taxes of Izumo Contractors Inc. from 2006 until 2009.
At the time, both held top positions in the construction firm as president and chief financial officer, respectively.
Izumo’s chief operating officer, John Ong, was also tried for the same case.
The three respondents each faced four counts of violating Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code for Izumo’s alleged failure to pay the right taxes from 2006 to 2009.
Before the Department of Justice (DOJ) elevated the case to the CTA in July 2015, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) had already filed a complaint of the same nature in 2014.
The DOJ's investigation, based on certifications obtained from Izumo Contractor's clients by the BIR, revealed that the company earned PHP302.63 million from 2006 to 2009.
However, Izumo reported an income of only PHP76.22 million for the same period, indicating an under-declaration of more than 1600 percent.
CEDRIC LEE'S PUBLICIZED RELATIONSHIPS
Patricia Javier
Sexy singer-actress turned beauty queen, Patricia Javier, was the first celebrity to appear in Cedric's dating history.
Their relationship in 2005, albeit short-lived, was enough for Patricia to confidently choose the side of Vhong after news of Cedric and Vhong's altercation surfaced.
"Napaiyak na lang ako ng nakita ko yung sitwasyon niya [Vhong]," she said in an interview with ABS-CBN on February 3, 2014.
"Kumbaga, sa akin kasi, ayoko nang balikan kung ano man yung nangyari sa akin in the past. Kasi andito na ako, maayos na ang buhay ko, tahimik, ayoko ng paguluhin.
"Gusto ko lang sabihin kay Vhong na magpagaling ka and maraming nagmamahal sa iyo, I think buong Pilipino, lahat ng mga kababayan natin."
She mentioned not wanting to say anything about her past with Cedric, but that she was hopeful that Vhong would get the justice he deserved.
"Right now, I don't want to say anything about it, kasi wala naman ako dun sa mga pangyayaring 'yon," she added.
"Hopefully, lahat maging maayos, na kung ano man ang nangyari kay Vhong ay magkaroon siya ng justice kung sino talaga ang may kasalanan."
Vina Morales
Another luminary who was linked to Cedric in the past was Vina Morales. Both are co-parents to their teenage daughter Ceana Morales Lee.
On Ceana's 15th birthday on April 25, 2024, Vina wrote a sweet message for her unica hija: "Happiest bday anak @ceanaml… Know that mommy will always be there for you and I love you very much..."
Vina also revealed that she has been co-parenting Ceana with Cedric.
Back in July 2010, a year into motherhood, Vina was asked by PEP.ph about having Ceana in her life.
She related: "I'm peaceful in a way na parang mas magaan ang buhay ko ngayon that I have Ceana. Mas blessed ako.
"Nakita niyo naman ang work ko ngayon, nagpapasalamat ako na maraming dumarating na mga projects.
"At the same time, siguro yung kabuuan ko, mas nakumpleto dahil sa anak ko. Siguro yun yun.
"With or without love life, parang sa tingin ko, mas ang buhay ko ngayon ay may saysay. Kailangan kong pag-igihan para sa anak ko."
In a recent interview with PEP Troika, Vina described her co-parenting set-up with Cedric as "okay" and "civil."
She said, "Siyempre, for the sake of our daughter. At saka na-realize ko nung pandemic, parang you know, forgiveness talaga, e.
"You have to forgive. Life is short. So… and it’s also for her own sake, di ba?
"They’re both happy, we’re all happy. I’m happy. So, you know, we’re just enjoying our journey."
Judy Gutierrez
Some time after his split with Vina, Cedric married Judy Gutierrez, also known as Ling Chia, in an undated wedding ceremony.
However, in the same GMA News Online report on October 14, 2015, that gave details about Cedric and Judy pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, it was revealed that they were no longer together.
SHOWBIZ TIES
A photo of Cedric with Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao also circulated around the time of the former's most controversial case.
According to the news sites that reported it, the photo was taken inside former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph on January 27, 2014, Cedric clarified that Manny and Chavit were just there as guests on the day of his daughter Ceana's christening.
"Kumpare ko po sila. Nagpa-picture nung binyag ng anak namin ni Vina. Kumpare ko sila kaya nando’n sila sa binyag," he explained.
NO SOCIAL-MEDIA PRESENCE
In the wake of media attention surrounding the case against him by Vhong, Cedric reiterated that whatever statements or posts published on social media bearing his name were all false.
According to a PEP.ph report on February 22, 2014, Cedric affirmed, "Hindi ako marunong mag-computer.
"Maski email ko, pini-print pa po ng secretary ko. Tamad po ako mag-aral ng computer.
"Wala akong Facebook, wala akong Twitter.
"Ginawan nila ako ng Facebook, making it appear that it’s me defending myself in an arrogant manner."