Aquino sympathizes with Lauro Vizconde

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said he sympathizes with Lauro Vizconde, whose wife and two daughters were killed inside their Parañaque home nearly two decades ago, after the Supreme Court acquitted seven people earlier convicted for the crime. "Initially of course we sympathize with Mr. Lauro Vizconde. I asked for a briefer to be prepared," Aquino said in a text message when asked for his thoughts on the acquittal. Among those acquitted was Hubert Webb, son of former Senator Freddie Webb. He and his co-accused spent 15 years and four months in jail. Vizconde, who was out of the country when his family was killed on June 30, 1991, reportedly lost consciousness upon hearing the Supreme Court decision. When he regained consciousness, he admitted that he seemed to have lost his trust in the country's justice system.

Voting 7-4-4, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed two lower courts’ decisions convicting Webb and six others for the killing of Estrellita Vizconde, 47, and daughters Carmela, 18, and Jennifer, 7. Two of the accused — Artemio Ventura and Joey Filart — remain at large. The Supreme Court acquitted the seven "for the failure of the prosecution to rule their guilt beyond reasonable doubt." "They are ordered released from detention unless for another lawful cause," said Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez, noting that the high tribunal’s decision was immediately executory. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Aquino administration had nothing to do with the Supreme Court's decision to acquit Webb and the others. "I think it’s irrelevant, the fact that it was decided under this administration. The case was decided based on the assessment of the justices on the appeal," he said. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV