Tuesday, March 04, 2008 (Philippines)

GLORIA, JUN. President Arroyo visits Calamba, Pampanga, while (inset) Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. holds a candle as he joins students in a patriotic song at the Adamson University campus in Manila. (AP Photos) THE Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor reversed its position in a resolution it issued in October last year and resolved to file a criminal case against Fr. Benedicto Zozobrado Ejares, who was earlier accused of lascivious acts while hearing the confession of high school students in 2006. City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon, in the ruling dated Feb. 28, cited points raised in the motion for reconsideration earlier filed by lawyer Alvin Butch Cañares, the City Hall consultant who is representing the complainants—seven high school students of the Abellana National School. But Sellon, in the four-page document, said there is only basis to file one criminal case for child abuse against the priest, the seven complainants notwithstanding. [full story]