Saturday, August 25, 2007 Gabi counter-affidavit being prepared: Dad By Grace L. Plata
DAVAO City Councilor Diosdado Mahipus, who volunteered to be the legal counsel of boxing champ Diosdado "Prince" Gabi, said their camp is already preparing the counter-affidavit to the charges pressed by North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol against the boxer.
Mahipus on Thursday said the arraignment is set for August 30 and they are expecting to meet with the complainants in person and not just with their lawyers.
He is hoping for an out-of-court settlement.
Mahipus said the Gabi camp prefers to have the matter placed under mediation -- an alternative course provided by law in cases such as these.
"It would be much better if we can really resolve this without much trouble," Mahipus said.
The councilor, who is also a lawyer, volunteered to be Gabi's counsel Wednesday. Mahipus confirmed that Gabi took his offer.
The boxer had a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Antonina Escovilla of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2.
This stemmed from the case filed by Piñol against Gabi in 2005 for violation of managerial contract. In his complaint, Piñol is asking for P4.8 million from Gabi whom, the politician claimed, duped him and reneged from their contract.
Piñol claimed Gabi left his training camp some years back without notifying him or asking for his permission.
Gabi, after his arrest Tuesday, posted bail of P5,000 for his temporary freedom.
The boxer was accompanied by several policemen from Bunawan in posting a bail at the Hall of Justice Tuesday afternoon and later apologized to Piñol through the media, which Piñol had earlier demanded of Gabi.
