Ferdinand Hipolito Navarro (born January 4, 1977), known professionally as Vhong Navarro, is a Filipino comedian, actor, dancer, recording artist and television host. He is a regular host on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine commercial broadcast network that serves as the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company unde ...

's noontime variety show '' It's Showtime''. He is also part of the dance group Streetboys alongside fellow ''It's Showtime'' host

Jhong Hilario Virgilio Viernes Hilario Jr. (born August 11, 1976), professionally known as Jhong Hilario, is a Filipino actor, dancer, television host, and politician. He is part of the Filipino dance group ''Streetboys''. He is currently serving as a counc ...

Assault incident

On January 22, 2014, Navarro was attacked and severely beaten by a group of men inside a condominium unit in

Fort Bonifacio Fort Andres Bonifacio (formerly named Fort William McKinley) is the site of the national headquarters of the Philippine Army (Headquarters Philippine Army or HPA) located in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is located near the national headquarter ...

Taguig Taguig (), officially the City of Taguig ( fil, Lungsod ng Taguig), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 886,722 people. Located in the northwestern shores of ...

, according to his manager, Chito S. Roño. Roño said Navarro was invited by a female friend named Deniece Cornejo to visit her condominium unit, where he was tied up and blindfolded by several men, threatened and then beaten up. The perpetrator was identified as Cedric Lee, who was also accompanied by several other men during the time of the incident. Following this, it was stated that Navarro would temporarily not be appearing on '' It's Showtime'' and other television projects while he continues to recover. Navarro was accused of attempted rape, which he denied. In an interview with TV host Boy Abunda on '' Buzz ng Bayan'', Navarro said he just arrived at the model's condo unit and then suddenly there were armed men that beat him up. On January 29, 2014, one week after the incident, Cornejo filed a rape case against Navarro, but the National Bureau of Investigation said it was unlikely that there was an attempted rape on Cornejo, based on the CCTV footage. The controversial incident had initially raised ideologically motivated concerns over rape culture and

victim blaming Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or any wrongful act is held entirely or partially at fault for the harm that befell them. There is historical and current prejudice against the victims of domestic violence and sex crimes, such as ...

, particularly surrounding the negative treatment of Cornejo, the supposed rape victim. Navarro earned himself sympathy from the public as himself a victim of defamation and

physical violence Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened ...

, whereas Cornejo faced the brunt of the public's ire. The public quickly dismissed the fact that Navarro willingly cheated on his girlfriend, Tanya Winona, with the unsuspecting Cornejo. Moreover, the public responded to Navarro's mauling by sending Cornejo death threats, and even more rape threats. In an article posted on GMA News Online, Carljoe Javier expressed consternation with the treatment of the alleged rape of Cornejo:

"I understand that there are certain aspects of this case which raise possible opportunities for discussion. The most important point for discussion would be the way that we are now discussing rape. It's disgusting how certain people have taken this as an opportunity to attempt to discredit rape victims as people who are just crying wolf. Many women are victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse and we must acknowledge this and attempt to prevent these terrible acts from happening. This is a truth regardless of the veracity of the claims of Deniece Cornejo."

When asked to explain her situation, Cornejo reported to the ''Inquirer'' and stated, "Victim blaming is a very common practice throughout the world especially for rape victims". On February 19, 2014, another rape case was filed against Navarro, by a woman named Roxanne Cabanero, alleging the rape took place in 2010. On March 8, 2014, Navarro made a return to ''It's Showtime''. On April 10, 2014, DOJ dismissed the rape complaint filed by Deniece Cornejo against Navarro. A week later, DOJ issued a warrant of arrest against Cornejo and Lee. On April 26, Lee and his accomplice were captured and arrested in Oras, Eastern Samar. On May 5, Cornejo surrendered to Camp Crame. On September 16, 2014, the Taguig court set a PhP 500,000 bail for Lee, Raz and Cornejo. On January 25, 2015, businessman Ferdinand Guerrero was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inside the penthouse of Ritz condominium in Makati as one of the suspects. On July 21, 2022, the Court of Appeals' 14 Division reversed the DOJ's decision to dismiss Cornejo's complaint. Vhong Navarro NBI mug shot

On September 19, 2022, the Taguig Court issued an arrest warrant against Navarro 8 years after the incident happened. He surrendered to the NBI on the same day. On September 19, 2022, Navarro surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after trial courts in

issued him separate warrants for rape and " acts of lasciviousness" committed against Deniece Cornejo in 2014. Prosecutors said that the rape and molestations occurred at the hotel where Navarro was also falsely imprisoned and beaten by Cedric Lee and his accomplices as a result; the extent of his injuries made headlines at the time, and his assailants were eventually convicted. Navarro has maintained he did not rape Cornejo, claiming the pair did not engage in any sexual activity; and that Cornejo, Lee and his companions were seeking to extort him for financial gain. In December 2022, the court allowed Navarro to post (roughly $18,000) bail. On November 17, 2022.The NBI received orders from the Taguig city court to transfer Navarro to a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa while pending the resolution of his petition for bail.

Discography

Studio albums

*''Totoy Bibbo'' (2004) *''Don Romantiko'' (2005) *''Chickboy'' (2007) *''Let's Dance'' (2008)

Compilation albums

*''Best Novelty Hits'' (2008)

Songs/music videos

*"Hari ng Dance Floor" (''It's Showtime the Album'') *"Mr. Papabol" (''I Star 15'' album) *"Ayos Na Ang Buto-Buto" *"Cha Cha Cha" *"Chickboy" (from the movie '' Agent X44'') *"Don Romantiko" (from the movie '' D' Anothers'') *"Huwag Kang Makulit" (from the TV series '' Kulilits'') *"Magandang Umaga" *"Minahal Kita" (featuring Gloc-9) *"Pata-Pata-Pon" (featuring Streetboys) *"Pamela" (from the movie '' Otso-Otso, Pamela-Mela Wan'') *"Supah Papalicious Man" (from the movie ''Supah Papahlicious'') *"Totoy Bibbo" *"Da Vhong Song" ('from the movie '' Da Possessed'')

Filmography

Television

Films

Awards and recognitions

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Navarro, Vhong 1977 births Living people People from Makati People from Sampaloc, Manila Male actors from Metro Manila Filipino male comedians Filipino male dancers Filipino male film actors Filipino male television actors Filipino television variety show hosts Kapampangan people Star Magic ABS-CBN personalities 20th-century Filipino male actors 21st-century Filipino male actors 21st-century Filipino male singers