Teacher slapped with libel says sorry to Mabatid

CEBU, Philippines — A public school teacher who allegedly maligned Cebu-based PinoyCare Visa Center issued yesterday a public apology to the company, including its founder, Cebu City Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid.

“In my desire of achieving peace and harmony, after being in a situation, which I am the only author and the only one to be blamed of, I came to realize that hurling fabricated and make-up stories with malicious imputations against the prestigious PinoyCare Visa Center founded by the incumbent City Councilor Prisca Nina Mabatid is the greatest blunder I made in my life,” said Levi Cortez.

“With my deepest regret, I wholeheartedly say these words to Councilor Mabatid, ‘I am really sorry,’” Cortez added.

Mabatid accepted the apology and promised to still continue to help Cortez in his application for immigrant visa should he decide to pursue it.

“I accepted your apology and by Monday, the case we filed against you for cyberlibel will be withdrawn. I still believe that you are a good person,” Mabatid said to Cortez.

As part of his public apology, Cortez said that what he told the NBI and the local newspapers about PinoyCare a couple of months ago were merely fabricated stories, which were “totally baseless and unfounded.”

“Simply stated, I (was) only lying at that time. I was merely motivated by ill-will, malice and revenge at that time in the hope that I could get even with the company if it will be in the bad light because of my allegations,” Cortez said.

However, he said that after coming to terms with his conscience and guilt, he needed to admit the truth behind his accusations.

“The truth is, I never passed the EILTS examinations which is a requirement to apply for an immigrant visa. I took it not once but twice but still I failed the exam. Thus, my visa application was pending because of my IELTS and other lacking documents,” he said.

With this, Cortez said that he sincerely offered apology to Mabatid as the “false and malicious statements” he uttered may have dragged Mabatid’s name “to the extent that her image, honor and reputation as a person is put in contempt, scorn and public ridicule.”

Cortez admitted that he did his acts in connivance with a former city councilor, who has been attacking Mabatid.

“I do not want to be used anymore and be part of the political bickering,” Cortez further said.  JMD (FREEMAN)