NBI to give DOJ daily updates on Vizconde massacre probe

As the Justice Department rushes to file new charges in connection with the 1991 Vizconde massacre, the National Bureau of Investigation is set to give Justice Secretary Leila de Lima daily updates on its reinvestigation into the gruesome killing of Estrellita, Carmela, and Jennifer Vizconde. The DOJ has until June 30 this year to file new charges against new suspects in the massacre. The Revised Penal Code provides that offenses like murder carry a presciptive period of 20 years. Because the Vizconde massacre occurred on June 3, 1991, the prescriptive period will lapse on June 30 this year. "We know that we have about a month (to file new charges) so they (NBI) will really focus on the reinvestigation. Director Gatdula has promised me on a day-to-day basis, they will report to me the latest developments in the reinvestigation," De Lima said. The government's reinvestigation came on the heels of the Supreme Court's acquittal of the seven suspects who were earlier convicted in 2000 for the Vizconde killings. Last Dec. 14, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that Hubert Webb, son of former Sen. Freddie Webb, and his six co-accused, were guilty beyond reasonable doubt. — Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News