Deniece Cornejo's grandfather says "she's a lovely person"

The grandfather of Deniece Cornejo, former GMA-7 executive Rodrigo Cornejo, was interviewed on Buzz Ng Bayan on Sunday, February 2, 2014.


People had been asking why no family member has been seen supporting Deniece during her interviews and even when she filed the rape case against Vhong Navarro. Her lawyer had said that it's the 22-year-old model's decision to protect the privacy of her family that's why they are not seen with her, but that doesn't mean they are not supporting her.

With that, the appearance of her lolo in Buzz Ng Bayan was a little surprising. But he was there because he wants people to know who Deniece is.

"She’s a lovely person," he said. "Not because she’s my grandniece, but because she has a good heart. Ang tingin ko sa kanya, isang babae na gusto niyang mapatunayan kung ano ang kakayahan niya. She’s a type na gustong umunlad sa kanyang sariling sikap. Alam niya kung ano ang gusto niya. Medyo matapang at determinado."

To those who are saying Deniece just wants to be famous, her grandfather said she doesn't even want to be in showbiz.

"Wala sa kanya ang desire na pumasok sa showbiz. Kaya, ako nga, naniniwala na hindi niya ito ginagawa para makilala, 'no.  She wants to serve people also," he said, adding that Deniece also told him of her desire to become a lawyer.

Regarding Cedric Lee, the alleged leader of the group that mauled Navarro inside the condo unit of Deniece Cornejo on January 22, Rodrigo Cornejo said his grandniece denied having any romantic relationship with the controversial businessman.

He also asked Deniece if Navarro indeed tried to rape her.

"'Ikaw ba, 'yung [rape] charge mo, totoo ba 'yun?'," he recounted as having asked his grandniece. "At ang sagot niya, 'Yes, Lolo.'"

He said he believes her.

"It's either I'll believe her or not - I chose to believe her," he said.

Rodrigo said the negative things hurled at Deniece hurt him, but most especially her parents. And to those who say things against her, he wants to ask this question: "Kilala n'yo ba si Deniece?"

Lastly, he wants to appeal to the public not to pre-judge his grandniece.

"Huwag muna tayong manghusga," he said. "Let the court decide."

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