Archdiocese asks court more time to answer case

CEBU, Philippines - Due to his hectic schedule, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma asked the court to extend the given period of time for them to answer allegations filed by a couple who claimed they were deprived of road right of way.

Palma, through his lawyer Joel Ouano, filed a motion for extension to file their reply to the civil case filed by spouses Adora and Michael Casey. They asked for an extension of at least 45 days.

The couple filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO), injunction and damages against Palma, the Holy Cross Parish and parish priest Henrietto Visitacion.

Ouano said that because of the busy schedules of Palma due to the Christmas season and the feast of the Sr. Sto. Niño de Cebu, they are asking for more time to submit their reply.

Palma received the copy of the summons on December 9, 2010 and was ordered to submit his reply on or before December 24, 2010. 

Meanwhile, Judge Simeon Dumdum will merely resolve the couple’s move for injunction after setting aside the issuance of the TRO.

Dumdum gave both parties 30 days to file their respective memoranda.

The couple bought a parcel of lot in Barangay Basak which was adjacent to the lot under the name of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cebu.

The couple said that before they bought the said property, they had the assurance of the former owners of a four-meter road right of way that they claimed was already established.

However, Visitacion said the parish priest of Holy Cross Parish constructed a concrete wall that traverses the road right of way starting from the main road.

“The construction of the concrete fence has effectively narrowed the passage to about one meter wide - barely enough for two persons to pass through side by side and an impossible route for a four-wheeled vehicle,” the couple stated.  (FREEMAN)