Maguindanao massacre lawyers bicker over thrice-weekly hearings

Defense and prosecution lawyers in the Maguindanao massacre trial on Thursday bickered over an earlier suggestion to hold hearings three times a week instead of the current two. During Thursday's proceedings in Taguig City, defense lawyer Paris Real brought up anew an earlier suggestion by Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to hear on a separate day the civil aspects of the case. Real said he recently spoke to his clients, who were concerned about the trial’s seemingly slow pace. Real said thrice-a-week should already be approved, given that private prosecutor — Prima Quinsayas — said in an earlier hearing that she was in favor of additional hearings. "My clients have a right to a speedy trial," Real told the court. Real blamed public prosecutors for contributing to the delay, citing media reports that Assistant Regional State Prosecutor Peter Medalle frowned at the idea of a three-day weekly schedule. "[Prosecution members] say they are officers of justice, so they should dispense with justice and not bring injustice," Real said. Medalle butted in: "Conversations between you and your clients are none of our business... but please don't accuse us of committing injustice." Medalle insisted he never said he was against the suggestion to add another day to the weekly hearings. Apart from that, the judge also asked prosecution if it could prepare not just two but five to six witnesses for each trial day so there would be more witnesses in case the first two should finish early. Some private prosecutors have expressed reservations about Solis-Reyes' suggestion. Lawyer Nena Santos, legal counsel for Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said she has no problem about preparing more witnesses, but she cannot commit to a thrice-a-week schedule because she handles several cases other than the Maguindanao massacre. 'Strategy' against prosecution Meanwhile, a prosecution source claimed the insistence by defense requiring prosecution to prepare more witnesses is a "strategy" to force prosecutors into committing errors. "They are rushing us so we would make mistake and that would work to their advantage," the source said. "I challenge the defense to also present that many witnesses when it's time for them to present theirs. I tell you, that would be also hard for them," the source added. In Thursday's hearing, two private complainants in the civil aspect of the murder case took the witness stand. Estrella Razon, wife of slain journalist Fernando "Ranny" Razon, said she spent P155,300 for the wake, interment, and other expenses related to death of her husband. She was seeking P20 million for exemplary damages or the amount that should be paid to set an example for others not to commit the same crime. For her part, Femmalyn Magaway, cousin of Periodico Ini reporter Noel Decena, did not seek any exemplary or moral damages but told the court she shelled out around P54,000 for the burial of her cousin. — VS, GMA News