MANILA, Philippines—The De la Paz family has put off pushing for the suspension of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr. in the Ombudsman after the latter’s family expressed willingness to amicably settle the quarrel between them, the counsel of the De la Pazes told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday.

Lawyer Raymond Fortun, quoting businessman Delfin de la Paz, said the family had decided not to file a case for Pangandaman’s preventive suspension to pave the way for an out-of-court settlement.

Fortun refused to divulge details of any talks but stressed the De la Pazes’ demand for a public apology from the Pangandamans was “a non-negotiable item.”

The apology should also serve as an admission by the Pangandamans that they started the brawl at Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo City on Dec. 26, Fortun said.

“We would like something to that effect. But we don’t expect a direct admission of fault because it will affect the pending cases,” he said.

The De la Paz and Pangandaman families filed charges against each other in the Antipolo City prosecutor’s office on Monday.

Both families expressed willingness to settle the matter out of court but refused to be the first to offer the olive branch.

On Wednesday, Pangandaman’s sons Hussein, 30, and Nasser Jr., 27, went to the National Bureau of Investigation to submit their affidavits on the incident, the same statements they swore to in the prosecutor’s office.

Their lawyer, Teodoro Pastrana, said his clients were open to a settlement but the initiative should come from the De la Pazes.

“My clients are the aggrieved party here so I believe the offer for a settlement should come from the De la Pazes,” he said.

In the meantime, Marie Dhel “Bambee” de la Paz, 18-year-old daughter of Delfin who was involved in the brawl according to some witnesses, left the country Wednesday to continue her studies as a golf scholar at the University of Cincinnati.

Fortun said Bambee would return to testify should the out-of-court negotiations not prosper, but he said he didn’t expect a hearing until July.

“Running priest” Fr. Robert Reyes, meanwhile, made symbolic offerings to the De la Paz family before Bambee left for Ohio.

The offerings consisted of a georgina brush, five granite rocks and a “neutral” prayer for truth and healing.

“May they (De la Pazes) be as solid as a rock and may their hope be as promising as this plant,” said Reyes who, supporting protesting farmers of Hacienda Yulo in Laguna, had called for the resignation of Secretary Pangandaman.

The self-proclaimed “paskal,” meaning “pari sa kalye” (priest of the streets), said the five granite rocks represented the five members of the De la Paz family—Delfin, his wife Maridel, and children Richard, Bambee and Bino, who was involved in the fight along with his father.