Neophyte judge to try Ungab case

CEBU, Philippines- A neophyte judge was assigned to handle the criminal case against the wife of a town vice mayor who was accused of attacking a female lawyer rumored to have an illicit affair with her husband.

Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 8 Judge Grace Veloso-Fernandez, who was only appointed in January, will handle the trial of the case for slight physical injuries against Pearl Ungab, wife of Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab.

Pearl was indicted by the city prosecutor’s office of the complaint filed by lawyer Jiecel Tiu.

The female lawyer originally filed a complaint for frustrated murder against Pearl for allegedly hitting her using a baseball bat on February 26, 2015 in Barangay Cogon Ramos, Cebu City.

But the prosecutor’s office downgraded the complaint to slight physical injuries, citing the accused has no intent to kill.

Lawyer Rex Fernandez, one of the legal counsels assisting Tiu, refused to comment on the raffling of the case to a neophyte judge.

Fernandez instead reiterated the complainant’s position that she is still open for a non-negotiable condition for settlement, which is for the Ungab family to make a written public apology.

Tiu was accused of having an affair with the vice mayor, who is also a lawyer.

Tiu, however, denied the allegation. (FREEMAN)