By: Beverly Vergel
Aside from Vhong Navarro’s case, Cedric Lee’s name keeps popping-up in the news from time to time. Here’s a look back.
2005 – The issue with Cedric Lee’s Izumo Contractors Inc. concerning the Mariveles public market project began. The company was allocated P23.47 million in public funds for the market’s construction. However, the project was never initiated, resulting in a malversation case. This legal matter extended over several years and culminated in the conviction of Cedric Lee and former Mariveles Mayor Angel Peliglorio Jr. in 2022.
2006 – Cedric Lee was associated with Beverly Hills 6750, a luxury cosmetic surgery and wellness center situated in Ayala, Makati. Established in 2006, the clinic quickly rose to prominence for its high-end services and clientele.
Cedric Lee: Business partner and investor in Beverly Hills 6750.
David Bunevacz: Former president and CEO of Beverly Hills 6750.
Jessica Rodriguez: Marketing director and associated with Bunevacz in running the clinic.
Beverly Hills 6750 faced significant controversies over fund misuse. David Bunevacz was accused of embezzling company funds for personal purchases, leading to major legal and personal disputes between the partners.
2006-2009 – Cedric Lee became known during this period when he and Vina Morales had a romantic relationship.
2007 – Reports said that Cedric Lee, along with his associates Tyrone Ong, Louie Kau, Chito Ho, and Dominique Sytini, physically assaulted David Bunevacz. The attack occurred in Greenhills, where they allegedly beat Bunevacz and forcibly took his Porsche, Hublot watch, and phone.
David Bunevacz and his wife Jessica fled the country following a violent 2007 assault by Cedric Lee and his associates in Greenhills. The intensity of the attack, along with escalating legal and financial issues at Beverly Hills 6750, led the couple to flee for their safety.
2009 – Cedric Lee and Vina Morales had a daughter named Ceana. That year also marked the end of their relationship. They have since faced legal battles concerning custody and visitation rights for their daughter.
2014 – Cedric Lee was charged with tax evasion by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for underdeclaring income from his businesses, including Izumo Contractors Inc. The case revealed significant discrepancies between his declared and actual income, leading to the tax fraud accusation.
2014 – January 2014 model Deniece Cornejo accused Vhong Navarro of attempted rape. Following the accusation, Cedric Lee and his associates allegedly beat and detained Navarro at Cornejo’s condominium in Bonifacio Global City. Navarro claimed he was assaulted, threatened, and extorted. This incident resulted in a high-profile legal battle and extensive media coverage in the Philippines.
2016 – Vina Morales and Cedric Lee have faced various conflicts, including a significant legal dispute when Vina accused Cedric of violating a court ruling related to their daughter. Despite these challenges, Vina Morales and Cedric Lee have decided to maintain a civil relationship to prioritize their daughter Ceana’s well-being.
2024 – The high-profile case involving Cedric Lee and Vhong Navarro concluded in May 2024 with the conviction of Lee, Deniece Cornejo, Simeon Raz, and Ferdinand Guerrero by the Taguig Regional Trial Court. They were found guilty of serious illegal detention related to the 2014 incident with Navarro and sentenced to reclusion perpetua, up to 40 years in prison. This verdict brought an end to a lengthy and widely publicized legal battle.
Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo, and their associates are held in different facilities after their conviction. Cedric Lee and Simeon Raz were transferred to New Bilibid Prison, while Cornejo is detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong. They received a sentence of reclusion perpetua, up to 40 years in prison.
But the fight is not yet over. Cedric Lee asserted his innocence and planned to appeal. He voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), preferring custody over hiding to stay in touch with family and lawyers.
It looks like this is going to be a long court battle all the way up to the Supreme Court and Cedric Lee has the funds for it.
Here’s a look at his business ventures:
- Izumo Contractors Inc.: Founded in 1988, this construction firm, chaired and presided over by Cedric Lee, has handled major projects like the Davao del Sur Cultural Business Center.
- Colossal Mining Corporation: Cedric Lee is the managing director and shareholder of this company, which is one of the largest iron sand concessionaires in the Philippines.
- Phil-Asia Dredging and Reclamation Corp. (PDRC): Engaged in significant dredging operations, including the largest project in the Cagayan River.
- Waste Management Inc.: Cedric Lee has interests in waste management, with a contract to manage Cebu’s sanitary landfill.
Family Background
Cedric Lee’s business acumen is influenced by his family background; his father is a businessman, which likely provided him with early exposure to the business world. Oddly though, nothing can be found on the world wide web about his parents or siblings.
Photos:
Vina Morales and Cedric Lee during better times