Ronda VM’s wife to face trial after mediation process fails

CEBU, Philippines - A female lawyer, who was allegedly assaulted by the wife of a southern town official last year, is determined to pursue the criminal case for slight physical injury.

Lawyer Jiecel Tiu refused to settle with Pearl Ungab after the latter allegedly resorted to filing "malicious and fabricated" complaints against her.

"I am no longer interested in continuing with mediation proceedings on ground that the accused is resorting to malicious scheme in order to frustrate the success of this proceeding," Tiu said.

She was referring to the complaints for three counts of serious physical injuries, two counts of attempted murder and malicious mischief filed by Ungab on February 2 before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

She believes that the purpose of the complaints was only to gain leverage against her.

"The malicious and fabricated complaints were filed even before this mediation proceedings commenced, yet accused purposely did not disclose the same. This shows accused's scheme and unwillingness to reach a fair settlement," she said.

"I believe that there can be no successful mediation if one of the parties is cunning, dishonest, and is making a mockery of this noble mediation proceeding," she added.

Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Grace Veloso-Fernandez granted Tiu's motion, which would pave way to a full-blown trial.

The slight physical injury case stemmed from the incident involving Tiu and Ungab in March last year. Ungab was accused of ramming the car of Tiu, who was rumored to having an illicit affair with her husband, Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John. Pearl also allegedly smashed the car of Tiu using a baseball bat and later started hitting the female lawyer with it.

The incident prompted Tiu to lodge frustrated murder complaint against Ungab. But the city prosecutor's office downgraded the complaint to slight physical injuries, explaining that there was no showing of Ungab's intention to kill Tiu.

Tiu's camp elevated the matter for review before the Department of Justice, which is still pending until now. Ungab pleaded not guilty during her arraignment.

Ungab filed counter charges accusing Tiu of allegedly spraying her face with pepper-spray while they were still at the parking lot of Centro Maximo Building along D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.

"Tiu again pepper-sprayed my face twice while at the vicinity of Ramos Public Market," she said.

Ungab also accused Tiu of attempted murder allegedly hitting her with the latter's car. — (FREEMAN)