Jinggoy, Bong Revilla: No need for Senate probe on Vhong Navarro case

The much-talked-about issue of the alleged mauling of television host Vhong Navarro will no longer reach the Senate halls.

In an interview Wednesday, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he will just let the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) solve the case involving Navarro, whom he earlier called his "best friend."

"Bahala na ang NBI magdetermine kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo, at kung sino ang nagsisinungaling," Estrada told reporters.

The actor-turned-senator, however, added that he is believes Navarro's testimony that he did not attempt to rape Deniece Cornejo.

"It appears na mukhang nagkatugma yung sinabi ni Vhong, but I am not the one who is going to decide that. It is with the NBI," Estrada said.

Earlier in the day, an NBI official said closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage obtained from the Taguig condominium where Navarro was allegedly assaulted seem to bolster the TV host's testimony.

Bong Revilla, too

Even Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., who in 2009 called for a Senate probe on the sex scandal involving actress Katrina Halili and Hayden Kho, thumbed down a congressional inquiry on Navarro's case.

"Well, trabaho na ng pulis yan at NBI. Nasa mga kasamahan natin iyon, pero siguro trabahuhin na lang NBI. Magtrabaho na lang si [Justice Secretary Leila] De Lima," Revilla said in a separate interview.

He however added that authorities should look into the supposed scheme of businessman Cedric Lee, who is being linked to Navarro's alleged assault, to maul and extort personalities.

Former schoolmate

Senator JV Ejercito, for his part, revealed that Lee was once involved in the construction of markets and an arena in San Juan.

Nakikita mo naman yung character niya [Lee]. 'Yung kanyang mga partner, ganoon din ang asta... Ayoko ng mga ganoong klase ng character, medyo iba. Medyo mahirap makasundo," Ejercito said in a separate interview.

Ejercito also said that Lee was his neighbor and former schoolmate at the Xavier School.

"Sa Xavier, tahimik lang yan. Noon, payat pa siya. Noong makita ko siya, after college, malaki na ang katawan... Hindi naman sa takot ako sa kanya, pero iwas ako. Mas malaki ang katawan sa akin," Ejercito said. — BM, GMA News