The crew members of Zest Air who are facing a case for grave slander have asked for postponement during the scheduled preliminary investigation because they want to offer a settlement to Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim. Named respondents in the case for grave slander filed by the mayor before the City Prosecutor’s Office (CPO) of Pasay City were flight attendants Camille Rose Diaz and Janine Mariz de Castro, Capt. Ronald Ramos and a certain John Doe. The preliminary investigation was set at 10 am last March 7 before Assistant City Prosecutor Joanna Gabatino-Lim of the Pasay CPO. Lim was represented by his counsel, Tagbilaran Councilor Doni Piquero. Meanwhile, all respondents were present with their counsels from the ACA Law which was represented by lawyer Egbert Buenviaje. Respondents, through counsel, asked if it is possible to cancel the preliminary investigation to allow the possibility of amicable settlement.

They requested that they be allowed to defer the filing of their respective counter-affidavits which might be a hindrance to the amicable settlement. Counsels for the respondents also asked if they can have a conference with the complainant. The investigating prosecutor was open to the request considering that it was the first time that the case was set for preliminary investigation.  Piquero manifested that he has to refer the request for a conference with the complainant and that any settlement is subject to his approval. Diaz was the one who was vocal in accusing the mayor that he undressed inside the plane, an allegation which the mayor has vehemently denied and for which he filed the case for grave slander. De Castro was included after she signed as witness in the Diaz’ handwritten complaint before the Airport Police Detachment. Ramos, the pilot of the Tagbilaran-Manila flight last Dec. 16, 2011, was the one who requested for police assistance which was the reason why the mayor was fetched by policemen at the aircraft.

The unidentified male airline personnel who was wearing a pilot’s uniform was included because of his remarks that included his declaration that the incident should be brought to the media. Until last Wednesday, however, he has remained unidentified.  Lim had indicated in the past that there will be no more settlement after the case was filed. The mayor had also accused Gov. Edgar Chatto, Cong. Rene Relampagos and the majority in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of exploiting the issue against him. A separate case has been filed by Lim against Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, Board Members Dionisio Balite, Cesar Tomas Lopez, Abeleon Damalerio, Godofreda Tirol, Venzencio Arcamo, Romulo Cepedoza, Crispina Vergara and Doxson Asoy before the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman Visayas for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for gross ignorance of the law, grave abuse of authority and malicious persecution.