There is no settlement on the grave slander case filed by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim against four people over the allegations that he undressed inside a Zest Air plane last Dec. 16. Lim refused to entertain offers of settlement from the respondents which included three crew members and a still unidentified male during the preliminary investigation held last April 3 before the Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) in Pasay City. “I have been subjected to the worst humiliation in my life and I intend to seek justice not for myself but for my family and my constituents,” the mayor added. Councilor Doni Piquero, Lim’s legal counsel, had earlier reported the postponement of preliminary investigation during its original schedule when the respondents through their lawyers indicated their desire to offer a compromise settlement.

The preliminary investigation was originally set last March 7 before Assistant City Prosecutor Joanna Gabatino-Lim of the Pasay OCP. “Since it was the first meeting between the parties, we gave in to their motion for postponement,” Piquero said. During their second meeting last week, however, Piquero said the mayor, who attended the preliminary investigation, made it clear he is no longer interested in a settlement. Unable to reach a settlement, three of the respondents submitted their counter-affidavits. Flight attendants Camille Rose Diaz and Janine Mariz de Castro submitted their joint counter-affidavits while Capt. Rolando Ramos submitted his separate counter-affidavit. All three denied the accusations of Lim, insisting that they did not commit any crime imputed against them.

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 Tuesday, however, he has remained unidentified.

Piquero said they have 10 days to make a manifestation if they will reply to the counter-affidavits.  “Otherwise, this will be submitted for resolution,” he added. Lim has counter-attacked against those whom he accused of exploiting the issue against him. The mayor had also accused Gov. Edgar Chatto, Cong. Rene Relampagos and the majority in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of exploiting the issue against him. He earlier filed a case 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.