He says. She says. (The Navarro-Cornejo Controversy)

Two weeks ago, the news about the actor Vhong Navarro being beaten to a pulp by a group of men in one of the condominiums here in the metro broke out. Allegedly, not less than seven men blindfolded the actor, beat him and took his video without his pants on. Initial reports said that Navarro was visiting the condo unit of a lady friend who texted him to come visit and bring food. (Thus, the popular catchphrase "Punta ka sa condo, dala you food".) The lady friend in the initial reports was not named but as days passed Navarro started dropping names of those people he recognized including a certain Cedric Lee, a businessman, and his sister Bernice Lee. The lady friend now named is Deniece Cornejo, a 22-year old model and stylist.

The case seem to catch the interest of a lot of people including the media, not only because the alleged victim is popular but because the two camps have very interesting versions of the story. According to Navarro, Cornejo asked him to go to his condo unit to bring food but was surprised when a group of men blindfolded him and started hitting him. Navarro says that he was being blackmailed into giving the group of men a certain amount of money in the condition that they will not release the video of him naked and admitting that he was a rapist. Cornejo's side accuses Navarro of attempted rape which later on escalates to rape. The Lee's admit to beating Navarro because they found the actor attempting Cornejo.

Later in the week, the CCTV footage of the night of the assault was shown to the media which convinced a lot of people that Navarro was the real victim given the fact that on the footage, Deniece went out of the condo unit a minute or two after the actor arrived giving physical impossibility for the Lee's to catch him in the act. Cornejo, in an interview, stood firm on the allegation that Navarro raped him and called on Navarro's other victims to also present their case against the actor.

Over-sensationalization

A lot of people in the social media expressed their concern on the highlight given not only by the media but also by the government on the case. Netizens are complaining that there are other more pertinent issues that needs to be discussed other than an actor being beaten. At the same time that this news broke out, the news about the Pork Barrel Scandal was being heard over the senate which people think that is more note-worthy to talk about.

Personally, I am one of those who find it amusing that the media and the government is making a big deal out of the issue. Of course, it is definitely wrong to beat up or rape someone but I think this kind of news should be given less priority over more pressing news. I am not against broadcasting scandals like these but don't they have a "Showbiz Segment" where they can feature the latest news about the celebrities and what have you? Is this all about the ratings? I mean, if we really find out who assaulted who, would that improve the lives of the Filipino people or would it just be a triumph of one against a bunch of hooligans?

Both camps are saying that they wanted people to know about the alleged crimes primarily because incidents like these can happen to anyone. Yes that is true. But this kinds of incidents happen everyday to everyone. People get beaten up. People get raped. Everyday. Why are they not given a look-out bulletin or a police escort or a two-part tell-all? I am tempted to think that people are interested just because the people involved are famous. Well, I guess that is one of the perks of fame-to have people react about your issue when all along you have been silent about the other concerns that other people are facing. Thanks to the limelight, I guess.

The Rape Stigma

People say that Cornejo deserved to be raped. Given that her allegation was true, since when did someone deserve this kind of heinous act? If a girl dresses provocatively what license does anyone have to shove his dick in someone's mouth or vagina? This is one mentality that irritates me a lot. What gives people the right to assault somebody else and deny culpability of the action due to the fact that their dicks were aroused?

Rape is a serious offense that is why it is given careful examination because the consequences are equally grave. Couldn't we just suspend judgment and leave it to the stewards of the law? The problem with many is that a suspect is guilty until proven innocent and not the other way around. The more pressing problem is that a victim with no political influence is perceived to be the one lying unless proven true.

Navarro and Cornejo's issue would definitely be a memorable one for me not because of the people involved but because of the themes that it has shed light to. As of now, just like what their lawyers say, let us not do this via trial by publicity.