‘Mediators are here to help parties settle disputes peacefully’ – Judge Angog on appointment of accredited mediators in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Underscoring the importance of the role of accredited mediators of the newly established Philippine Mediation Unit (PMU)-Kalinga, Presiding Judge Jerson Angog said they are expected to assist judges and lawyers in settling disputes.

During a meeting held on January 22, 2026, at RTC Branch 25 in Kalinga, the four newly accredited PMU-Kalinga mediators were introduced to various lawyers and judges in the province to inform them of their roles and responsibilities.

Judge Angog emphasized that the mediators’ responsibility is to help lawyers and judges settle disputes between parties, adding that mediation proceedings are private and confidential.

“The mediators are here to help us settle disputes between the parties and to find solutions that would be good for both and acceptable to them, and to emphasize that these proceedings are private and confidential,” Angog said.

He added that even the court cannot extract any information from mediators during the mediation process, stressing that confidentiality allows both parties the freedom to speak openly.

“Whatever they discuss cannot be disclosed to others. Even the court cannot extract any information from them during the trial. The purpose of this is to give the parties the freedom to speak freely and open up completely,” Angog added.

Meanwhile, the four accredited mediators are Antonio Dumalan and Cirilo Indammog, both from Mangali, Tanudan; Vicente Bentican of Pangol, Tanudan; and Crispin Gayagay, currently residing in Bulanao.

Said mediators completed a series of online and in-person training sessions and earned their accreditation after meeting the required case settlement and assessment standards.