MANILA – "I will fight until the end." This is what Vhong Navarro told ABS-CBN News’ Ginger Conejero before he personally filed his counter-affidavit at the Pasig Regional Trial Court against former beauty pageant contestant Roxanne Cabañero on Thursday. Last February 19, Cabañero filed a complaint accusing Navarro of raping her at around 11 p.m. on April 24, 2010. Cabanero said this happened after the actor supposedly fetched her from the Astoria Plaza hotel in Pasig, where she claimed to have stayed as a contestant of Miss Bikini Philippines. These statements, however, were already refuted by an official from the hotel, as well as comedian Vice Ganda, who was with Navarro in Island Cove, Cavite on the same night Cabanero alleged she was raped. Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Navarro said he has to defend himself against false accusations. “Medyo mahirap ang pinagdadaanan ko dahil affected na ang anak ko and pamilya ko. Parang masyado nilang dina-down ang sarili ko na wala naman akong ginagawang pangre-rape. Ang hirap lang pagbintangan ka na hindi mo ginagawa,” he said as he vowed to do everything to protect himself and his family. Nonetheless, the actor said he is hoping he could go back to work soon. “Talagang gusto ko ng bumalik kasi ito 'yung trabaho ko. Kailangan ko magtrabaho para sa pamilya ko. Ang hirap na hindi ako magtatrabaho kasi kung hindi ako magtatrabaho, wala na akong ipapakain sa kanila. Nami-miss ko na rin magpasaya ng mga tao,” he said. Watch Ginger Conejero’s report on TV Patrol tonight for the full story on Vhong Navarro.
