BishopAccountability.org
	Vidal: Hands off on Fr. Ben's Case By Jhunnex Napallacan, Nilda Gallo and Doris Bongcac Cebu Daily News March 5, 2008 http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080305-122899/Vidal-Hands-off-on-Fr-Bens-case CEBU CITY, Philippines - Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal may have spent for his schooling years ago, but Father Ben Ejares is on his own in answering a criminal charge of child abuse. The priest went to see Vidal on Tuesday at the Archbishop's Palace before noon to inform him of the recommendation of the Cebu City prosecutor to charge him in court Vidal will not intervene. "We will not defend priests, right or wrong. Let the courts decide what is right and what is wrong," said Monsignor Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer, who briefed reporters on the visit of Ejares. "Iyang ingon di man ko katabanang niana, naa na man na sa korte (The Cardinal told Ejares that he cannot help in this case because it's already with the courts.)," Dakay said. "Let the wheels of justice roll." Dakay, however, said Ejares did not ask for the Archbishop's help. "Mipahibawo lang (he just came to update him)," he said. Ejares, who still has no parish assignment, left immediately after he talked with the Cardinal and did not stay for lunch. The Cebu diocesan priest faces a serious charge of child abuse for his misconduct while hearing one-on-one confessions of female high school students at a religious seminar on November 14, 2006. Seven girls had complained that the priest put his arms around them, caressed their arms and backs and toyed with their bra straps while hearing their individual confessions at the grandstand of Cebu City Sports Complex. Ejares' lawyer said he would file a petition for review with the DOJ asking for the reversal of the February 28 joint resolution of Cebu City Prosecutor Nicholas Sellon. "We are hopeful that we can get a reversal from the DOJ," said Antonio Bacalso, Ejares' counsel. Bacalso questioned the new findings of the Prosecutor's Office because their first resolution last October, which was approved by Sellon, stated that there was no sexual abuse and this led to the junking of the complaint for acts of lasciviousness. But Sellon reversed himself after the complainants, through their counsel Gerry Carillo and Butch Canares, asked for reconsideration on the dismissal of the acts of lasciviousness case. "But now there are other acts of abuse mentioned by the prosecutor. I'm confused. That's why we will go directly to the DOJ," said Bacalso. Bacalso said he believes the prosecutor caved in to "pressure from different angles," and that adverse media publicity contributed to this based on negative commentaries and reactions to the first resolution. Mayor Tomas Osmea, meanwhile, welcomed the reversal of Prosecutor Sellon's stand. "I thought that the first time (they reviewed the complaint filed against Ejares) they were holding something back. Maybe they were ashamed by that, but I don't blame them. That could also happen to me," he said. Osmea said the recommendation to charge Ejares does not necessarily mean he would be convicted in court. "He will be given a chance to explain his side," said Osmea. He said the city government was willing to extend assistance to the student complainants, once their case is brought to court.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.