Cedric Lee, the Filipino businessman at the center of the Vhong Navarro case, showed bad “character,” Senator Jose Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito said in an interview.
Ejercito that Lee and his partners were awarded a contract for work on an arena in San Juan City several years ago.
But when Ekercito became mayor of the city in 2011, he cut ties with the businessman, not giving him anymore work.
“He did a project for us but after I saw his character… I did not give him anymore the big projects of the city hall,” the senator told the Philippine Inquirer.
“Because you can see their character. How they act … his partners.”
“Relationship for me is more important … I don’t like that kind of character,” Ejercito added. “You know that it’s difficult to get along with,”
The senator elaborated, saying that he and Lee knew each other from attending the same high school in San Juan, Xavier School, and that they were neighbors.
They would jog together sometimes back then.
But Lee changed after high school, in both appearance and character, Ejercito said.
Ejercito said that he kept his distance from his former friend because of what he heard about Lee being involved in mauling incidents.
“It’s not that I’m afraid of him. But I just don’t want any trouble,” the senator said.
Lee has been charged with criminal acts including illegal detention after allegedly ordering the beating and blackmail of Vhong Navarro, which left Navarro in the hospital.
Ejercito said that the case will be a test and showcase for the Aquino administration to show that no one is above the law.
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