Nicole's mom denies govt hand in 'recantation'

MANILA, Philippines – The mother of the Subic rape victim - codenamed “Nicole" - fended off insinuations the Philippine and American governments pressured her daughter to fly to the United States and to provide a sworn statement that hinted Lance Corporal Daniel Smith did not willfully commit the crime after all. In an interview on dzBB radio Wednesday, “Susan" (not her real name) said that the move of “Nicole" was their family’s decision and not prompted by any external pressure. “Desisyon ng pamilya ‘yan. Walang nagamit sa amin, ki gobyerno, ni sino pa man, sa amin buong pamilya ‘yan [That was the decision of the family. No one among us was used by the government or anyone]," she said. Susan also appealed to the public to understand her daughter, who she said deserved to live a normal life after battling the case for so long. “Sana maunawaan nila ang anak ko. May right na mamuhay na tahimik at magkaroon ng sarili niyang buhay na magbagong buhay [I hope they understand my daughter. She also has the right to live a new life]," she said. The mother also confirmed that “Nicole" is staying in the US and that she even brought her daughter to the airport, but “Susan" did not indicate when. “Masayang masaya, ito na talaga, ang pag-umipsa niya sa bagong buhay niya [She seemed overjoyed. This is the signal of her new life]," Susan said. Rape case Smith was convicted by the Makati regional trial court in December 2006 for raping “Nicole" in November 2005. Smith remains detained at the US embassy while the case is presently on appeal at the Court of Appeals. In the radio interview, Susan said that that when the Supreme Court ruled in Feb. 11, 2009 that Smith should be transferred to a Philippine-run detention facility pending the CA’s ruling, the stir that the decision created opened their family’s wounds. “Okay na siya. Nag-move on na siya. Itong February 11 lang, naungkat nanaman, kaya na-depress na naman yung anak ko [She had already moved on, but she became depressed after the February 11 courts ruling because old wounds were opened again]," she said. Also, Susan lamented over the little help they got from the government while the case was ongoing. “Pagod na pagod na kami. Tama na. Wala kaming nakikitang tulong sa gobyerno. Ang gumagawa naman ng lahat ay si Attorney Ursua [We are so tired and we have given up hope. We have yet to see government’s assistance. The only one who is working is Attorney Ursua]," she said, referring to their former lawyer, Evalyn Ursua. Smith's hand Ursua, whose services were terminated Monday, said in a radio interview Wednesday that the recantation of “Nicole" raised more questions. “My conscience continues to bother me realizing that I may have in fact been so friendly and intimate with Daniel Smith at the Neptune Club that he was led to believe that I was amenable to having sec or that we simply just got carried away," a portion of Nicole’s sworn statement read. The statement was signed March 12, 2009 and was notarized by Abraham Rey Acosta from a Makati City notary public. In the radio interview, Ursua disclosed that Acosta is from the same law firm whose services Smith hired. “Nakita ko kagabi ang notary public, abogado rin ni Smith, kasi member siya ng law firm… Ang abogado ni Smith ang Sycip Salazar [I learned last night the notary public is a lawyer of Smith. He is a member of the law firm Sycip Salazar that represents Smith]. It raises more questions," Ursua said in an interview on dzXL radio. Ursua said this was the latest of “irregular things" that happened in the case, which she said victimized not only the complainant but also the judiciary. “So many irregular things happened in this case, this is a good study.Ang biktima di si Nicole, ang biktima ang integridad ng court process ang integridad ng rule of law ang integridad ng ating court procedure, Ursua said. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV