Vhong's lawyer: Hindi kami magpapadala sa takot

MANILA – Atty. Alma Mallonga said her client, actor-host Vhong Navarro, was not really surprised of the third rape complaint lodged against him. In an interview with “Umagang Kay Ganda” on Monday, Mallonga said Navarro already expected that this would happen. “Hindi naman masyado itong nakakaapekto [kay Vhong] katulad nung mga nauna because this is something he expected. Please watch out because malakas ang tunog sa amin na merong another complaint… Iba na naman,” she said. The latest rape complaint, according to Mallonga, was filed by a 26-year-old woman who claims that the incident happened back in 2009. The woman, Mallonga said, is allegedly a stunt double in the ABS-CBN series “I Love Betty la Fea.” According to Mallonga, the complaint could be another ploy to divert attention away from the primary case, saying that it is part of a "strategy" supposedly plotted by businessman Cedric Lee. Lee is one of eight persons facing criminal charges, including the non-bailable offense of illegal detention, in relation to the mauling of Navarro last January 22. Meanwhile, Mallonga said she is unfazed by threats which she received from Lee. In a "Buzz ng Bayan" exclusive report on Sunday, Mallonga said she received a threat directly from Lee, telling her to either settle or drop the case; otherwise, she herself will also face charges. Asked if she is planning to sue Lee for this, Mallonga said: “That’s one of the things na pinag-iisipan ko. Nakakatawa ano. As you know, abogado ako. Ang paghahawak ng kaso, yun ang aking ginagawa. And I would like to think that I do it well. Kaya nga sinabi ko na gawin niya ang gusto niyang gawin.” Mallonga said Navarro’s camp will stay strong amid the new charges filed against the “It’s Showtime” host. “Hindi po kami magpapadala sa takot at lalaban po kami,” she said.