Fiscals to mediate Cabillon cases

The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office temporarily suspended the preliminary investigation on the libel case filed by ex-monk Venancio Cabillon against Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and three other church officials to give way to mediation. 

Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba yesterday signed the memorandum designating the three prosecutors recently appointed as members of the panel conducting the preliminary investigation to act as mediators.

Petralba said assistant provincial prosecutors Venice Balansag, Jose Edwin Renegado and Luis Calderon will hold the mediation process.

Cabillon filed the libel case against the cardinal, Msgr. Cristobal Garcia, Father Marnell Mejia and Abelio Mangila alias Frater Martin Mary, the prior superior of the Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration shrine in Sibonga.

Cabillon alleged that the respondents caused the publication of an alleged defamatory notice to the public against him in the archdiocesan newsletter “Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon.”

The printed notice gave details on why Cabillon was allegedly discharged from the Marian monks congregation in Simala, Sibonga.

Petralba said the three counter-charges that were filed against Cabillon, which include two counts of estafa and acts of lasciviousness were likewise submitted for mediation.

Petralba said her office decided to submit the four cases for mediation based on the recommendation of the two prosecutors first assigned to handle the preliminary investigation.

Assistant provincial prosecutors Jerome Abarca and Ma. Luisa Ong requested that the cases be submitted for mediation as an alternative dispute resolution provided under the memorandum circular issued by the Department of Justice.

Petralba said she designated Balansag, Renegado and Calderon to handle the mediation, considering that they have not yet started investigating the case. 

Petralba explained that even in the absence of a request from either party in a case, the prosecutor’s office has the prerogative to mediate especially in cases like libel, acts of lasciviousness and estafa.

Cabillon himself is facing charges for acts of lasciviousness and two complaints for estafa filed by two monks and an owner of an eatery. — Fred P. Languido/JMO