Just recently, another girl named Roxanne Cabanero has filed a rape charge against Vhong Navarro a few weeks after the mauling incident at the condo unit of another rape accuser, Deniece Cornejo. It turned out that the said ‘rape’ occurred way back in 2010 and Cabanero claims that she was ‘inspired’ to come out and fight after she had witnessed Cornejo do the same. Cabanero’s legal camp claims that a rape case would still be viable for a period of twenty years so she still has the chance to do so. This is another interesting twist in the real life action-drama that has caught the attention and interest of millions of Filipinos, particularly those in social media.
Many people, including Navarro’s camp, claim that this case is just a distraction initiated by Cedric Lee’s camp. Of course, the latter had quickly denied that claim. Nevertheless, even on a small number of spectators, this case would rattle Navarro’s credibility even just a bit. From my point of view, this scandal became more of a circus act rather than a legal battle. Legalities do not matter. Whoever would win the case (which I would presume could take for decades) does not matter. At this point, whoever wins the affection and favor of the majority of the masses would ultimately win the battle.
[pullquote]Trial by publicity is such a cliche but unfortunately, it is the name of the game. Only a few people would be able to recognize such tactics used to win and a handful still would be capable of putting these tactics flawlessly into action[/pullquote]
Even before, I had admired ABS-CBN’s way of handling scandals and controversies that includes their talents. They had a way of winning the sympathy of the masses even if the actors or actresses involved were the wrong ones. Take for example the case of Vhong Navarro. The actor involved, who intentionally went to the house of another girl because she had invited him in and was sending ‘alluring’ text messages, already had a steady girlfriend for four years. Point blank, he was there to cheat from his girlfriend but unexpectedly got mauled instead. If the media attention focused on this fact, a lot of people would probably get mad at Navarro and would think he deserved the beating. However, the network giant cleverly downplayed this aspect and highlighted that he was the victim of a set-up. They even got his usually private non-showbiz girlfriend to appear on national television for the first time to show everyone that she forgave him and would support him all the way.
In a country where justice system is flawed and slack, the next important thing to reaching a fair sentence is winning the sympathy of the masses, especially if the personalities involved are celebrities. Trial by publicity is such a cliche but unfortunately, it is the name of the game. Only a few people would be able to recognize such tactics used to win and a handful still would be capable of putting these tactics flawlessly into action. But whatever side you would be on, just sit back, relax and enjoy the free show! Either more twists are going to happen or a more interesting issue/scandal would take its place.
