Vhong Navarro did not enter a plea on Tuesday to a ràpe accusation stemming from two 2014 events involving model Deniece Cornejo.

Navarro, who anchors the ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime,” appeared virtually at Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 69. His lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga, was present, as were Cornejo and her attorney, Atty. Calleja, Howard

Navarro did not submit a plea, as his attorney instructed, since they had a pending petition for review in the Supreme Court.

As an outcome, the actor submitted a “not guilty” plea in court.

Navarro is being held at the National Bureau of Investigation after surrendering after arrest warrants were issued against him.

Navarro earlier maintained his innocence, telling ABS-CBN News, “Ever since na nagsimula ‘to, nagsabi ako ng katotohanan. Hindi ako nagsinungaling. Consistent ako dun sa mga affidavit namin. Kumbaga, lahat kinwento ko dun. ‘Di ba paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, ang pagkakasala ko, ang kasalanan ko rito ay ‘yung niloko ko ‘yung girlfriend ko noon at ito na ‘yung wife ko ngayon.”

Mallonga also questioned the reopening of the case eight years after the events.

“Paulit-ulit na dismissal from the Office of the City Prosecutor, by the Prosecutor-General, by the Secretary of Justice. Paulit-ulit na binasura doon sa Jan. 17 na r@pe kuno,” the lawyer stated.

“Ang tanong doon is – kung ikaw ay talagang na-r@pe noong Jan. 17, bakit ka pa nakipagkita noong Jan. 22? At kung sinasabi mo na hinalay ka noong Jan. 22, dahil yun ang una niyang sinasabi, bakit sa CCTV footage nakikita na ikaw ay ngumingiti at napakakalmado?” she questioned.