Be cautious in granting interviews, Maguindanao massacre lawyers told

The Quezon City judge handling the high-profile Maguindanao massacre case on Thursday reminded lawyers from both camps to be more careful in granting interviews. Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes' stern warning came after prosecution lawyer Nena Santos and defense counsel Sigfrid Fortun engaged in a heated argument regarding media interviews they both had the day before. Santos is the legal counsel for Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, while Fortun represents Andal Ampatuan Sr. and son Andal Jr., both accused in the multiple murder case. The case stemmed from the grisly killing of 57 people, 32 of them journalists, in what is now regarded as the "Maguindanao massacre" in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. "Both prosecution and defense are hereby reminded about the omnibus order in May 2010 [directing them to refrain from giving statements before the media that violate the sub judice rule, except those which are matters of court," Solis-Reyes said before adjourning Thursday's hearing. The rule of sub judice — Latin for "under judgement" — disallows individuals who are parties to an ongoing case to discuss merits of it outside the trial proper or make statements that would prejudice court proceedings. Tussle At the start of Wednesday's hearing in Taguig City, Fortun told Solis-Reyes that a reporter had just interviewed him before the day's proceedings, asking for his opinion on claims made by the prosecution that the defense was "delaying" the trial and that it was not giving relatives of the victims "the big picture." In defense of the prosecution, Santos clarified that she never made such accusations. "It was the first time in open court I was accused of something I did not do," Santos told reporters on Thursday. However, Santos said she has already forgiven Fortun because he has already apologized twice. "Inamin na naman niyang nagkamali siya... kaya apology accepted," Santos said. For his part, Fortun said he appreciated that Solis-Reyes' just issued a reminder instead of being too harsh on any of the legal counsels. "Dati, nagpapa-show cause pa siya just because of sub judice.... But now, ayaw na siguro ni judge mag-declare ng contempt," Fortun said. In Thursday's hearing, local Maguindanao farmer Thonti Lawani was subjected under cross examination by several defense lawyers. The day before, Lawani testified that he saw Andal Jr. and other armed militiamen bring the massacre victims on a hilly portion of Barangay Salman on Nov. 23, 2009. — RSJ, GMA News