Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo release pending court clearances
MANILA, Philippines — Businessman Cedric Lee and model Deniece Cornejo cannot yet be released despite a Court of Appeals order reducing their sentences, as the Bureau of Corrections said it is still waiting for key court documents and must complete a final records check.
In a statement Monday, September 28, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the bureau must first obtain the official entry of judgment docuemnt from the Court of Appeals and a certificate indicating no pending cases from the Taguig City Regional Trial Court.
BuCor said it is formally requesting both documents as part of its standard records validation to ensure that all legal requirements for release of the two respondents in television show host Vhong Navarro's mulling and detention have been met.
"No Entry of Judgement has been issued, therefore it is being requested before the Judicial Records Division of the said court," BuCor said.
The statement came after lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Cornejo's former counsel, shared with reporters a copy of a Court of Appeals release order covering Cornejo and Lee.
Lee and Cornejo were originally sentenced by Taguig RTC Branch 153 to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison, after being convicted of serious illegal detention for ransom involving actor-host Vhong Navarro.
The CA Special Seventeenth Division later downgraded the offense to grave coercion and reduced the penalty to a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years, six months and 21 days.
BuCor, however, said its records show that Lee and Cornejo are also serving separate sentences for another grave coercion conviction under Taguig RTC Branch 266.
That sentence, which was affirmed by the CA Ninth Division, carries the same penalty.
Because the two sentences must be served successively, BuCor said their combined prison terms range from a minimum of four years and 21 days to a maximum of seven years and 21 days.
BuCor's Person Deprived of Liberty Documents and Processing Division said both Lee and Cornejo have accumulated time allowances under Republic Act No. 10592, including Good Conduct Time Allowance and Time Allowance for Study, Teaching and Mentoring.
Lee has been in BuCor custody since May 3, 2024. With 460 days of GCTA, his total credited time stood at three years, 10 months and 29 days as of September 26.
BuCor calculated his presumptive minimum sentence completion date as Feb. 18, 2027, and his maximum sentence completion date as Feb. 18, 2030.
Cornejo, who has been in custody since May 2, 2024, has logged two years, four months and 24 days of actual time served, according to BuCor.
With 440 days of GCTA and 75 days of TASTM, her total credited time stood at three years, nine months and 24 days.
Her presumptive minimum sentence completion date is Dec. 23, 2026, while her maximum sentence completion date is Dec. 23, 2029.
Lee and Cornejo were imprisoned over the 2014 case filed by Navarro, who said he was attacked, restrained, threatened and held by a group that included Lee, which allegedly demanded money in exchange for his release.
abtestabtest Baste set to appear this week at impeachment court By Delon Porcalla | 17 hours ago Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV are slated to take the witness... Headlines Chiz clears VP’s AMLC records for impeachment use By Neil Jayson Servallos | 17 hours ago Financial documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can now be used as evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial... Headlines Ex-cop who claimed cash deliveries to Sara Duterte dismissed from PNP By Ian Laqui | 1 day ago Under a dismissal order dated September 15, Rodulfo Gracioso was dismissed from police service on Sept. 11, 2026. Headlines Palace tells Sara Duterte to ‘level up’ defense over cash claims By Ian Laqui | 1 day ago Malacañang called out Vice President Sara Duterte over her recent public statements, urging her to address the allegations... Headlines Impeachment court hopes SC rules soon on vote threshold By Neil Jayson Servallos | 17 hours ago To avert a looming constitutional crisis, the Senate impeachment court is counting on the Supreme Court (SC) to swiftly settle... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Sara Duterte trial recap, Sept. 28: 51 firearms, GenCorp contracts Fact check: Graphic distorts Hontiveros, Diokno positions on school shooting PNP witness: Sara Duterte has 3 firearms generally barred to civilians MV June Aster captain faces falsification charge over manifest entries abtest Drivers, transport operators begin 3-day strike over fuel price hikes By Ian Laqui | 5 hours ago MANIBELA began a three-day transport strike on Monday, September 28, to protest rising fuel prices. Headlines LPG prices to fall P3 per kilo before possible P10 hike By Renalyn Ramirez | 6 hours ago he tax-driven cut may be followed by a P10-to-P15 increase in October. Headlines LIVE Coverage: Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, Sept. 28 By PhilstarLIVE | 8 hours ago Follow the trial, in context and in real time. Headlines Rains forecast over Visayas, parts of Mindanao as ITCZ prevails 8 hours ago The ITCZ is forecast to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Visayas, Palawan and parts of Mindanao on Monday.... Headlines Recommended Baste didikdikin sa yaman ni Sara 17 hours ago Inaasahang didikdikin ng prosekusyon si Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte sa pagharap nito sa impeachment... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTESEBASTIAN “BASTE” DUTERTE Tulfo: Pagtanggal ng systems loss charges, bawal bawiin sa ibang singil September 28, 2026 - 12:00am Siniguro ni Senate Committee on Energy Chairman Erwin Tulfo sa publiko na ang napipintong pagtanggal ng systems loss charge sa electricity bill ay hindi maaaring bawiin ng mga electric company sa pamamagitan ng ibang...r HeadlinesERWIN TULFO Ex-aide: P2 bilyong idineliber ko kay VP Sara Duterte 1 day ago Iniimbestigahan ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ang mga alegasyon ng dating pulis at naging security aide ni dating... HeadlinesTRENDING NBI: Gracioso 99 percent pasado sa lie detector test 1 day ago Pasado sa polygraph test si dating Patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr matapos isalang ng National Bureau of Investigation... HeadlinesLAW Pro-China stand ni VP Sara, kinuwestiyon 1 day ago Kinuwestiyon ni House prosecution spokesperson at Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong ang umano’y pagiging pabor sa... HeadlinesTRENDING next Recommended Baste didikdikin sa yaman ni Sara Inaasahang didikdikin ng prosekusyon si Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte sa pagharap nito sa impeachment trial kaugnay sa umano’y unexplained wealth ni Vice President Sara Duterte. 17 hours ago SARA DUTERTE SEBASTIAN “BASTE” DUTERTE Tulfo: Pagtanggal ng systems loss charges, bawal bawiin sa ibang singil Siniguro ni Senate Committee on Energy Chairman Erwin Tulfo sa publiko na ang napipintong pagtanggal ng systems loss charge sa electricity bill ay hindi maaaring bawiin ng mga electric company sa pamamagitan ng ibang singil. 17 hours ago ERWIN TULFO Ex-aide: P2 bilyong idineliber ko kay VP Sara Duterte Iniimbestigahan ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ang mga alegasyon ng dating pulis at naging security aide ni dating House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco na nagdeliber umano siya ng mahigit P2 bilyong pera kay Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. 1 day ago TRENDING NBI: Gracioso 99 percent pasado sa lie detector test Pasado sa polygraph test si dating Patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr matapos isalang ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sa pagsusuri kasunod ng mga pagbubunyag laban kay Vice Presidente Sara Duterte. 1 day ago LAW Pro-China stand ni VP Sara, kinuwestiyon Kinuwestiyon ni House prosecution spokesperson at Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong ang umano’y pagiging pabor sa China ng kampo ni Vice President Sara Duterte, at iniuugnay ito sa isang negosyong planong himayin ng prosecution panel. 1 day ago TRENDING OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
