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Thursday, March 30, 2006
Church probe ‘only internal’
As far as the rape complaint against Fr. Jose “Joey” Belciña is concerned, the Church investigation is useless to the defense.
Gloria Lastimosa-Dala-wampu, Belciña’s defense counsel, said the Church investigation is an internal matter.
“According to the panel, the purpose of the Church investigation was not for Belciña but rather for the private complainant to be afforded assistance by the Church,” Dalawampu said.
“The assistance will either be in the form of a lawyer, a psychiatrist or psychologist to deal with the trauma or emotional aspect, spiritual assistance and others,” she said.
Dalawampu said she was with Belciña when Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Vidal designated the panel of investigators to look into the priest’s case.
The panel was composed of Presbyteral Council secretary Msgr. Roberto “Boy” Alesna, panel head, Bishop Vicente Manuel, Msgr. Cayetano Gelbolingo and Bienvenido Disu.
Escort
Dalwampu said she accompanied her client so she would know what the purpose of the investigation would be.
She was told it was only an internal church matter, the result of which will be forwarded to higher Church authorities. The panel has recently concluded its investigation.
Dalawampu said the complainant refused to cooperate with the panel.
An 18-year-old woman filed a complaint before the Danao City Prosecutor’s Office against Belciña, accusing the priest of raping her three times.
Dalawampu reiterated her concern over the partiality of Danao City Prosecutor Jose Kymako, who earlier denied the defense’s motion for postponement of clarificatory hearing scheduled for April 7.
‘Harmless’
“Either he (Kyamko) doesn’t like me, or my client, or both,” Dalawampu said. “It was a harmless motion.”
Dalawampu filed a motion to disclose issues to be discussed on clarificatory hearing with motion to transfer hearing. Kyamko denied it for being “frivolous” and “dilatory.”
Dalawampu said she has already scheduled four hearings before the Cebu City Regional Trial Courts on April 7.
She is thinking of filing a motion for reconsideration to accommodate them on the 10th instead, or the next working day after April 7. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 30, 2006 issue)
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