Crisang, Stephen Nikolai L. Atty.

Myra Angeli Gallardo-Batungbakal

Alternative Dispute Resolution 3A-1

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Mediation, as an alternative tool for resolving conflicts, is a voluntary process in which a

mediator, selected by the disputing parties, facilitates communication and negotiation,

and assists the parties in reaching a voluntary agreement regarding a dispute.

Through a mock mediation proceeding in which every person in class role-played and had an

opportunity to act as a neutral third-party mediator and our brilliant professor as a party who

submitted a dispute for mediation proceeding, I learned first-hand that consideration must be

given to the need to promote candor of parties, and mediators through the confidentiality of

the mediation process, the policy of fostering prompt, economical, and amicable resolution of

disputes in accordance with principles of integrity of determination by the parties, and the

policy that the decision-making authority in the mediation process rests with the parties.

Through the video presentation, I also learned that there is a proper structure in going about a

mediation process through the PDIOS (Problems, Demands, Interests, Options and Solutions)

structure. Our professor effectively explained through our mock-mediation activity that while it

is important for a mediator to know the demands of both parties, it is of paramount importance

that their interests are ascertained because only then will be an effective facilitation of a

mediator in working towards a solution to their dispute.