By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

ATTORNEY General Alicia Limtiaco endorses the use of mediation process in solving disputes, saying such method accomplishes fairness and maintains the balance of power between parties.
“Mediation is a valuable tool in resolving disputes in the legal system. Mediation can be very effective in civil disputes, juvenile proceedings, family disputes, child support matters and property disputes,” Limtiaco stated in a position paper she presented at the Inafa’ Maolek Peace Conference which was concluded Saturday.
Alternative dispute resolution is a process of resolving conflicts through mediation without the involvement of the judicial system.
“Mediation has many advantages. It is fair and neutral as parties have an equal say in the process and decide settlement terms, not the mediator. There is no determination of guilt or innocence in the process,” Limtiaco said.
She said the AGO’s Child Support Division itself employs the mediation alternative by referring parents to Inafa Maolek Mediation Group to mediate their differences.
Three mediation trainers spoke at the Peace conference, held from Feb. 1 to 3 at the Marriot Hotel.
Randy Duque, from Good Shepherd Mediation Program in Philadelphia, introduced conflict coaching, a skill that requires creative, effective and constructive ways to address any conflict situations.
Arlynna Livingston of the Ohana Group Conferencing in Hawaii discussed cases of child abuse and neglect; and Peta Blood from Sidney, Australia, who tackled strategies for reducing school violence.