CEBU, Philippines - Former monk Venancio Cabillon will ask the prosecutor’s office to extend for 15 days the time within which he can file his counter-affidavit on the estafa and acts of lasciviousness charges filed against him by two monks of the Simala Shrine in Sibonga town.
Cabillon said he intends to file the motion for extension next week in time for the deadline given to him.
Cabillon said he is currently gathering solid evidences to prove that the accusations against him are untrue. He said he will seek the help of forensic experts to prove his innocence.
One of the complainants alleged that Cabillon molested him sexually while the other, a certain Frater Martin Mary also known as Abelio Mangila, alleged that Cabillon misappropriated more than P500,000 worth of cash and assorted items donated to the Monastery of Our Lady in Hilongos, Leyte.
Cabillon was also accused of asking money and load from an eatery owner named Pastora Superable.
Superable claimed Cabillon asked P500 cash to pay for his transportation expenses for his transfer to another monastery. Three days after the cash was given, Cabillon allegedly sent Superable a text message asking for P60 worth of cellphone prepaid load.
The cellphone load, according to the text, is to solicit funds from other MMEA benefactors. The P60 allegedly went up to P1200 and Superable said that Cabillon would send her text messages asking for the same amount every after three days.
Superable alleged that it was not until two months later that she learned Cabillon is no longer connected with the monastery.
But Cabillon said he intends to prove that the accusations are false. He said one of those from Leyte reportedly issued an affidavit to prove that he was only made to bring the monobloc chairs.
Cabillon also said he would ask the court to order his accusers to produce original copies of the documents that he “allegedly signed” so that forensic experts can verify whether those affixed on the receipts were indeed his signatures. – Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)