Former Sandiganbayan Justice and Comelec Chairperson Harriet Demetriou (File photo by MARK FRANCIS BANAY)
MANILA, Philippines — Former Sandiganbayan Justice Harriet Demetriou filed a charge of perjury against priest Winston Cabading for the latter’s alleged lies contained in his sworn statements submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a 15-page document given to Makati Prosecutors’ Office, Demetriou explained the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City had previously issued a resolution finding probable cause to indict Cabading for his alleged violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code.
The article penalizes “anyone who, in a place devoted to religious worship or during the celebration of any religious ceremony, shall perform acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful.”
As a response, Cabading had filed a petition for review on May 27, 2023.
According to Demetriou, this was where the priest lied.
“In his DOJ petition, [Cabading] willfully, and deliberately with malice aforethought, declared that the Vatican by decree had allegedly predetermined, after purported due investigation, that the 1948 Lipa apparition had no supernatural character and origin,” Demetriou’s complaint read.
“Even in his DOJ reply dated July 10, 2023, [Cabading’s] repeated citation of the date of the subject 1951 Papal Decree to be April 11, 1951 is ridiculous. It is incredible,” the former justice pointed out.
“It is belied by the CDF Decree of 2015 which stated that the exact date of the 1951 Papal Decree is March 29, 1951,” she asserted.
CDF stands for Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Vatican.
The complaint also stated perjury is an act of “any person who makes untruthful statements” before a competent individual authorized to administer an oath.
Cabading was arrested and detained last May 13 following a charge by Demetriou for reported “offending of religious rights.”
The priest had posted bail and was freed on provisional liberty two days after he was nabbed.
Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism, where Cabading is a member, told INQUIRER.net on Thursday that it has yet to issue a statement on the latest legal action of Demetriou.
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