Peras decides not to quit Ecleo case

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court judge Soliver Peras has decided to go on and hear the parricide case against cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. by setting aside his earlier order to voluntarily inhibit himself from the case following media criticism for his security measures.

In a two-page order he issued yesterday afternoon, Peras reconsidered his October 26 inhibition order by granting the prosecution panel’s motion for reconsideration.

“After going over the grounds relied upon by the prosecution panel in support of their motion for reconsideration, this court finds the same to be impressed with merit,” Peras said.

Peras immediately scheduled the next hearing of the case for January 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. for the reception of evidence for the defense.

The prosecution panel led by private prosecutor Fritz Quiñanola earlier moved for the reconsideration of Peras’ inhibition citing that the prosecution and the defense both have faith in his impartiality to hear the case.

The prosecution panel said that the issue is between the court and the members of the media objecting to the stringent guidelines he is implementing for media coverage.

Peras, the seventh judge to handle the high-profile parricide case against Ecleo, inhibited himself last October 26 following criticism he got for his strict requirements for members of the media and the public who wish to attend the trial to submit their pictures.

His inhibition would have delayed further the eight year old case against Ecleo who is accused of killing his wife Alona Bacolod in 2002.

Peras then said that he is already “unsure” of the effect of the criticism on his verdict, if he continues to sit on the case.

Reporters covering the court requested Peras to be more lenient in his requirements from the media considering that most of them are already known to him.

But Peras refused prompting RTC executive judge Meinrado Paredes to hold a dialogue between the judges and the reporters. The issue remained unresolved until Peras inhibited himself. — Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)